Motion vector difference coding technique for video coding

ABSTRACT

Coding a motion vector difference (MVD) during an inter-prediction process. Example techniques may include determining a particular coding and/or signaling method for an MVD from among two or more MVD coding and/or signaling techniques. A video coder (e.g., a video encoder and/or a video decoder) may determine a particular MVD coding and/or signaling technique based on characteristics of video data or coding methods, including MV precision, Picture Order Count (POC) difference, or any other already coded/decoded information of a block of video data.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/401,692, filed Sep. 29, 2016, the entire content of which isincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to video coding and, more particularly, tointer-prediction video coding.

BACKGROUND

Digital video capabilities can be incorporated into a wide range ofdevices, including digital televisions, digital direct broadcastsystems, wireless broadcast systems, personal digital assistants (PDAs),laptop or desktop computers, digital cameras, digital recording devices,digital media players, video gaming devices, video game consoles,cellular or satellite radio telephones, video teleconferencing devices,and the like. Digital video devices implement video compressiontechniques, such as those described in the standards defined by MPEG-2,MPEG-4, ITU-T H.263 or ITU-T H.264/MPEG-4, Part 10, Advanced VideoCoding (AVC), and extensions of such standards, to transmit and receivedigital video information more efficiently.

Video compression techniques perform spatial prediction and/or temporalprediction to reduce or remove redundancy inherent in video sequences.For block-based video coding, a video frame or slice may be partitionedinto macroblocks. Each macroblock can be further partitioned.Macroblocks in an intra-coded (I) frame or slice are encoded usingspatial prediction with respect to neighboring macroblocks. Macroblocksin an inter-coded (P or B) frame or slice may use spatial predictionwith respect to neighboring macroblocks in the same frame or slice ortemporal prediction with respect to other reference frames.

SUMMARY

In general, this disclosure describes techniques for coding a motionvector difference (MVD) during an inter-prediction process. Exampletechniques of the disclosure may include determining a particular codingand/or signaling method/technique for an MVD from among two or more MVDcoding and/or signaling techniques. A video coder (e.g., a video encoderand/or a video decoder) may determine a particular MVD coding and/orsignaling technique based on characteristics of video data or codingmethods, including MV precision, Picture Order Count (POC) difference,or any other already coded/decoded information of a block of video data.

In one example of the disclosure, a method of decoding video datacomprises receiving an encoded block of video data, receiving one ormore syntax elements indicating a motion vector difference (MVD)associated with the encoded block of video data, determining an MVDcoding technique from two or more MVD coding techniques, decoding theone or more syntax elements indicating the MVD using the determined MVDcoding technique, and decoding the encoded block of video data using thedecoded MVD.

In another example of the disclosure, an apparatus configured to decodevideo data comprises a memory configured to store an encoded block ofvideo data, and one or more processors configured to receive the encodedblock of video data, receive one or more syntax elements indicating anMVD associated with the encoded block of video data, determine an MVDcoding technique from two or more MVD coding techniques, decode the oneor more syntax elements indicating the MVD using the determined MVDcoding technique, and decode the encoded block of video data using thedecoded MVD.

In another example of the disclosure, an apparatus configured to decodevideo data comprises means for receiving an encoded block of video data,means for receiving one or more syntax elements indicating an MVDassociated with the encoded block of video data, means for determiningan MVD coding technique from two or more MVD coding techniques, meansfor decoding the one or more syntax elements indicating the MVD usingthe determined MVD coding technique, and means for decoding the encodedblock of video data using the decoded MVD.

In another example, this disclosure describes a computer-readablestorage medium storing instructions that, when executed, causes one ormore processors of a device configured to decode video data to receivethe encoded block of video data, receive one or more syntax elementsindicating an MVD associated with the encoded block of video data,determine an MVD coding technique from two or more MVD codingtechniques, decode the one or more syntax elements indicating the MVDusing the determined MVD coding technique, and decode the encoded blockof video data using the decoded MVD.

In another example of the disclosure, a method of encoding video datacomprises encoding a block of video data according to aninter-prediction mode, determining an MVD associated with the block ofvideo data, determining an MVD coding technique from two or more MVDcoding techniques, and encoding one or more syntax elements indicatingthe MVD using the determined MVD coding technique.

The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example video encoding anddecoding system that may utilize the techniques of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a video encoderthat may be configured to implement the techniques of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a video decoderthat may be configured to implement techniques of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating fractional pixel positionsfor a full pixel position.

FIGS. 5A-5C are conceptual diagrams illustrating correspondingchrominance and luminance pixel positions.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example L-shape template matching fordecoder side motion vector derivation (DMVD).

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example mirror basedbi-directional MV derivation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example encoding method accordingto the techniques of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example decoding method accordingto the techniques of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is related to techniques for motion vector (MV) coding,including techniques for the binarizing, encoding, signaling, anddecoding of MV differences (MVD). The techniques described herein may beused in the context of advanced video codecs, such as extensions of HEVCor a next generation of video coding standard.

H.264 and H.265 video encoders and video decoders support motion vectorshaving one-quarter-pixel precision. In one-quarter-pixel precision, thedifference between successive codeword values for an MV or an MVD isequal to one-quarter of the distance between pixels. Likewise, inone-eight-pixel prediction, the difference between successive codewordvalues for an MV or an MVD is equal to one-eighth of the distancebetween pixels. In integer pixel precision, the difference betweensuccessive codeword values for an MV or an MVD is equal to a full pixelin distance.

The pixel precision used is typically neither signaled nor derived, butinstead, is fixed (e.g., preconfigured or predetermined). In someinstances, one-eighth-pixel precision may provide certain advantagesover one-quarter-pixel precision or integer pixel precision. However,encoding every motion vector to one-eighth-pixel precision may use alarge number of coding bits, which may outweigh the benefits otherwiseprovided by one-eighth-pixel precision motion vectors. That is, thebitrate required to signal an MV or MVD at one-eighth-pixel precisionmay outweigh any distortion gains. For some types of video content, itmay be preferable to code motion vectors without interpolation at all,in other words, using only integer pixel precision.

Screen content, such as the content generated by a computer (e.g., textor simple graphics), typically involves series of pixels that all havethe exact same pixel values, followed by a sharp change in pixel values.For example, in screen content that includes blue text on a whitebackground, the pixels forming a blue letter may all have the same pixelvalues, while the white background also all has the same pixel values,but the white pixel values may be significantly different than the bluepixel values. Camera acquired content (e.g., so-called natural images),by contrast, typically includes slow changes in pixel values due tomotion, shadows, illumination changes, and other natural phenomena. Asscreen content and camera-acquired content typically have differentcharacteristics, coding tools effective for one type of content may notnecessarily be effective for the other type of content. As one example,sub-pixel interpolation for inter-prediction encoding may improve thecoding of camera content, but the associated complexity and signalingoverhead may actually reduce coding quality and/or bandwidth efficiencyfor screen content.

In some examples, the techniques of this disclosure may includeadaptively determining motion vector precision based on, for example,the content (e.g., the type of content) of the video being coded. Insome examples, the techniques of this disclosure may include deriving,by an encoder, an appropriate motion vector precision for the videocontent being coded. Using the same derivation techniques, a videodecoder may also determine, without receiving a syntax elementindicating the motion vector precision, what motion vector precision wasused to encode the video data. In other examples, a video encoder maysignal (and the video decoder may receive), in the encoded videobitstream, the motion vector precision selected by the video encoder.

Adaptively selecting motion vector precision may improve overall videocoding quality by enabling higher precision motion vectors (e.g. ¼^(th)or ⅛^(th) precision motion vectors) to be used for video content wherethe use of such higher precision motion vector improves video codingquality, for example, by producing a better rate-distortion tradeoff.Adaptively selecting motion vector precision may also improve overallvideo coding quality by enabling the use of lower precision motionvectors (e.g. integer precision) for video content where the use ofhigher precision motion vectors does not improve, or even worsens, videocoding quality.

This disclosure also describes techniques related to MVD coding and/orsignaling, including the determination of an MVD coding and/or signalingtechnique from among two or more MVD coding and/or signaling techniques.A video coder (e.g., a video encoder and/or a video decoder) maydetermine a particular MVD coding and/or signaling technique based oncharacteristics of video data or coding methods, including MV precision,POC difference, or any other already coded/decoded information of ablock of video data.

Various techniques in this disclosure may be described with reference toa video coder, which is intended to be a generic term that can refer toeither a video encoder or a video decoder. Unless explicitly statedotherwise, it should not be assumed that techniques described withrespect to a video encoder or a video decoder cannot be performed by theother of a video encoder or a video decoder. For example, in manyinstances, a video decoder performs the same, or sometimes a reciprocal,coding technique as a video encoder in order to decode encoded videodata. In many instances, a video encoder also includes a video decodingloop, and thus the video encoder performs video decoding as part ofencoding video data. Thus, unless stated otherwise, the techniquesdescribed in this disclosure with respect to a video decoder may also beperformed by a video encoder, and vice versa.

This disclosure may also use terms such as current layer, current block,current picture, current slice, etc. In the context of this disclosure,the term current is intended to identify a layer, block, picture, slice,etc. that is currently being coded, as opposed to, for example,previously coded layers, blocks, pictures, and slices or yet to be codedblocks, pictures, and slices.

Techniques of this disclosure may utilize HEVC terminology for ease ofexplanation. It should not be assumed, however, that the techniques ofthis disclosure are limited to HEVC, and in fact, it is explicitlycontemplated that the techniques of this disclosure may be implementedin successor standards to HEVC and its extensions.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example video encoding anddecoding system 10 that may utilize the techniques of this disclosurefor coding MVs and/or MVDs. As shown in FIG. 1, system 10 includes asource device 12 that transmits encoded video to a destination device 14via a communication channel 16. Source device 12 and destination device14 may comprise any of a wide range of devices. In some cases, sourcedevice 12 and destination device 14 may comprise wireless communicationdevices, such as wireless handsets, so-called cellular or satelliteradiotelephones, or any wireless devices that can communicate videoinformation over a communication channel 16, in which case communicationchannel 16 is wireless. The techniques of this disclosure, however,which generally concern techniques for supporting adaptive sub-pixelprecision for motion vectors, are not necessarily limited to wirelessapplications or settings. For example, these techniques may apply toover-the-air television broadcasts, cable television transmissions,satellite television transmissions, Internet video transmissions,encoded digital video that is encoded onto a storage medium, or otherscenarios. Accordingly, communication channel 16 may comprise anycombination of wireless or wired media suitable for transmission ofencoded video data.

In the example of FIG. 1, source device 12 includes a video source 18,video encoder 20, a modulator/demodulator (modem) 22 and a transmitter24. Destination device 14 includes a receiver 26, a modem 28, a videodecoder 30, and a display device 32. In accordance with this disclosure,video encoder 20 of source device 12 may be configured to apply thetechniques for supporting two or more techniques for coding and/orsignaling MVs and/or MVDs. In other examples, a source device and adestination device may include other components or arrangements. Forexample, source device 12 may receive video data from an external videosource 18, such as an external camera. Likewise, destination device 14may interface with an external display device, rather than including anintegrated display device.

The illustrated system 10 of FIG. 1 is merely one example. Techniques ofthis disclosure for coding and/or signaling MVs and/or MVDs may beperformed by any digital video encoding and/or decoding device. Althoughgenerally the techniques of this disclosure are performed by a videoencoding device, the techniques may also be performed by a videoencoder/decoder, typically referred to as a “CODEC.” Moreover, thetechniques of this disclosure may also be performed by a videopreprocessor. Source device 12 and destination device 14 are merelyexamples of such coding devices in which source device 12 generatescoded video data for transmission to destination device 14. In someexamples, devices 12, 14 may operate in a substantially symmetricalmanner such that each of devices 12, 14 include video encoding anddecoding components. Hence, system 10 may support one-way or two-wayvideo transmission between source devices 12 and destination device 14,e.g., for video streaming, video playback, video broadcasting, or videotelephony.

Video source 18 of source device 12 may include a video capture device,such as a video camera, a video archive containing previously capturedvideo, and/or a video feed from a video content provider. As a furtheralternative, video source 18 may generate computer graphics-based dataas the source video, or a combination of live video, archived video, andcomputer-generated video. In some cases, if video source 18 is a videocamera, source device 12 and destination device 14 may form so-calledcamera phones or video phones. As mentioned above, however, thetechniques described in this disclosure may be applicable to videocoding in general, and may be applied to wireless and/or wiredapplications. In each case, the captured, pre-captured, orcomputer-generated video may be encoded by video encoder 20. The encodedvideo information may then be modulated by modem 22 according to acommunication standard, and transmitted to destination device 14 viatransmitter 24. Modem 22 may include various mixers, filters, amplifiersor other components designed for signal modulation. Transmitter 24 mayinclude circuits designed for transmitting data, including amplifiers,filters, and one or more antennas.

Receiver 26 of destination device 14 receives information over channel16, and modem 28 demodulates the information. Again, the video encodingprocess may implement one or more of the techniques described herein forcoding MVs and/or MVDs. The information communicated over channel 16 mayinclude syntax information defined by video encoder 20, which is alsoused by video decoder 30, that includes syntax elements that describecharacteristics and/or processing of macroblocks and other coded units,e.g., groups of pictures (GOPs). Display device 32 displays the decodedvideo data to a user, and may comprise any of a variety of displaydevices such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display(LCD), a plasma display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display,or another type of display device.

In the example of FIG. 1, communication channel 16 may comprise anywireless or wired communication medium, such as a radio frequency (RF)spectrum or one or more physical transmission lines, or any combinationof wireless and wired media. Communication channel 16 may form part of apacket-based network, such as a local area network, a wide-area network,or a global network such as the Internet. Communication channel 16generally represents any suitable communication medium, or collection ofdifferent communication media, for transmitting video data from sourcedevice 12 to destination device 14, including any suitable combinationof wired or wireless media. Communication channel 16 may includerouters, switches, base stations, or any other equipment that may beuseful to facilitate communication from source device 12 to destinationdevice 14.

Video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 may operate according to a videocompression standard, such as the ITU-T H.264 standard, alternativelyreferred to as MPEG-4, Part 10, Advanced Video Coding (AVC). Thetechniques of this disclosure, however, are not limited to anyparticular coding standard. Other examples include MPEG-2 and ITU-TH.263. Although not shown in FIG. 1, in some examples, video encoder 20and video decoder 30 may each be integrated with an audio encoder anddecoder, and may include appropriate MUX-DEMUX units, or other hardwareand software, to handle encoding of both audio and video in a commondata stream or separate data streams. If applicable, MUX-DEMUX units mayconform to the ITU H.223 multiplexer protocol, or other protocols suchas the user datagram protocol (UDP).

Video coding standards include ITU-T H.261, ISO/IEC MPEG-1 Visual, ITU-TH.262 or ISO/IEC MPEG-2 Visual, ITU-T H.263, ISO/IEC MPEG-4 Visual andITU-T H.264 (also known as ISO/IEC MPEG-4 AVC), including its ScalableVideo Coding (SVC) and Multi-view Video Coding (MVC) extensions.

In addition, a new video coding standard, namely High Efficiency VideoCoding (HEVC), has recently been developed by the Joint CollaborationTeam on Video Coding (JCT-VC) of ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG)and ISO/IEC Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG). The latest HEVC draftspecification, and referred to as HEVC WD hereinafter, is available fromhttp://phenix.int-evry.fr/jct/doc_end_user/documents/14_Vienna/wg11/JCTVC-N1003-v1.zip.ITU-T VCEG (Q6/16) and ISO/IEC MPEG (JTC 1/SC 29/WG 11) are now studyingthe potential need for standardization of future video coding technologywith a compression capability that significantly exceeds that of thecurrent HEVC standard (including its current extensions and near-termextensions for screen content coding and high-dynamic-range coding). Thegroups are working together on this exploration activity in a jointcollaboration effort known as the Joint Video Exploration Team (JVET) toevaluate compression technology designs proposed by their experts inthis area. The JVET first met during 19-21 Oct. 2015. And the latestversion of reference software, i.e., Joint Exploration Model 3 (JEM 3.0)could be downloaded from: https://jvet.hhi.fraunhofer.de/svn/svn_HMJEMSoftware/tags/HM-16.6-JEM-3.0/

An algorithm description of Joint Exploration Test Model 3 (JEM3) isdescribed in J. Chen, et al., “Algorithm Description of JointExploration Test Model 3,” Joint Video Exploration Team (JVET) of ITU-TSG 16 WP 3 and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29/WG 11, 3rd Meeting: Geneva, CH, 26May-1 Jun. 2016, JVET-C1001.

Video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 each may be implemented as any ofa variety of suitable encoder circuitry or decoder circuitry, such asone or more microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs),application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), discrete logic, software, hardware, firmware or anycombinations thereof. Each of video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 maybe included in one or more encoders or decoders, either of which may beintegrated as part of a combined encoder/decoder (CODEC) in a respectivecamera, computer, mobile device, subscriber device, broadcast device,set-top box, server, or the like.

A video sequence typically includes a series of video frames. A group ofpictures (GOP) generally comprises a series of one or more video frames.A GOP may include syntax data in a header of the GOP, a header of one ormore frames of the GOP, or elsewhere, that describes a number of framesincluded in the GOP. Each frame may include frame syntax data thatdescribes an encoding mode for the respective frame. Video encoder 20typically operates on video blocks within individual video frames inorder to encode the video data. For H.264, a video block may correspondto a macroblock or a partition of a macroblock. The video blocks mayhave fixed or varying sizes, and may differ in size according to aspecified coding standard. Each video frame may include a plurality ofslices. Each slice may include a plurality of macroblocks, which may bearranged into partitions, also referred to as sub-blocks.

As an example, the ITU-T H.264 standard supports intra prediction invarious block sizes, such as 16 by 16, 8 by 8, or 4 by 4 for lumacomponents, and 8×8 for chroma components, as well as inter predictionin various block sizes, such as 16×16, 16×8, 8×16, 8×8, 8×4, 4×8 and 4×4for luma components and corresponding scaled sizes for chromacomponents. In this disclosure, “N×N” and “N by N” may be usedinterchangeably to refer to the pixel dimensions of the block in termsof vertical and horizontal dimensions, e.g., 16×16 pixels or 16 by 16pixels. In general, a 16×16 block will have 16 pixels in a verticaldirection (y=16) and 16 pixels in a horizontal direction (x=16).Likewise, an N×N block generally has N pixels in a vertical directionand N pixels in a horizontal direction, where N represents a nonnegativeinteger value. The pixels in a block may be arranged in rows andcolumns. Moreover, blocks need not necessarily have the same number ofpixels in the horizontal direction as in the vertical direction. Forexample, blocks may comprise N×M pixels, where M is not necessarilyequal to N.

Block sizes that are less than 16 by 16 may be referred to as partitionsof a 16 by 16 macroblock. Video blocks may comprise blocks of pixel datain the pixel domain, or blocks of transform coefficients in thetransform domain, e.g., following application of a transform such as adiscrete cosine transform (DCT), an integer transform, a wavelettransform, or a conceptually similar transform to the residual videoblock data representing pixel differences between coded video blocks andpredictive video blocks. In some cases, a video block may compriseblocks of quantized transform coefficients in the transform domain.

Smaller video blocks can provide better resolution, and may be used forlocations of a video frame that include high levels of detail. Ingeneral, macroblocks and the various partitions, sometimes referred toas sub-blocks, may be considered video blocks. In addition, a slice maybe considered to be a plurality of video blocks, such as macroblocksand/or sub-blocks. Each slice may be an independently decodable unit ofa video frame. Alternatively, frames themselves may be decodable units,or other portions of a frame may be defined as decodable units. The term“coded unit” may refer to any independently decodable unit of a videoframe such as an entire frame, a slice of a frame, a group of pictures(GOP), also referred to as a sequence, or another independentlydecodable unit defined according to applicable coding techniques.

A new video coding standard, referred to as High Efficiency Video Coding(HEVC), has recently been finalized. Extensions to HEVC include theScreen Content Coding extension. The HEVC standardization efforts werebased on a model of a video coding device referred to as the HEVC TestModel (HM). The HM presumes several capabilities of video coding devicesover devices according to, e.g., ITU-T H.264/AVC. For example, whereasH.264 provides nine intra-prediction encoding modes, HM provides as manyas thirty-three intra-prediction encoding modes.

HM refers to a block of video data as a coding unit (CU). Syntax datawithin a bitstream may define a largest coding unit (LCU, also called acoding tree unit (CTU)), which is a largest coding unit in terms of thenumber of pixels. In general, a CU has a similar purpose to a macroblockof H.264, except that a CU does not have a size distinction. Thus, a CUmay be split into sub-CUs. In general, references in this disclosure toa CU may refer to a largest coding unit of a picture or a sub-CU of anLCU. An LCU may be split into sub-CUs, and each sub-CU may be split intosub-CUs. Syntax data for a bitstream may define a maximum number oftimes an LCU may be split, referred to as CU depth. Accordingly, abitstream may also define a smallest coding unit (SCU). This disclosurealso uses the term “block” to refer to any of a CU, PU, or TU. Moreover,where this disclosure refers to examples involving a coding unit or CU,it should be understood that other examples may be provided with respectto macroblocks substituted for coding units.

An LCU may be associated with a quadtree data structure. In general, aquadtree data structure includes one node per CU, where a root nodecorresponds to the LCU. If a CU is split into four sub-CUs, the nodecorresponding to the CU includes four leaf nodes, each of whichcorresponds to one of the sub-CUs. Each node of the quadtree datastructure may provide syntax data for the corresponding CU. For example,a node in the quadtree may include a split flag, indicating whether theCU corresponding to the node is split into sub-CUs. Syntax elements fora CU may be defined recursively, and may depend on whether the CU issplit into sub-CUs.

A CU that is not split (e.g., corresponding to a leaf node in thequadtree data structure) may include one or more prediction units (PUs).In general, a PU represents all or a portion of the corresponding CU,and includes data for retrieving a reference sample for the PU. Forexample, when the PU is intra-mode encoded, the PU may include datadescribing an intra-prediction mode for the PU. As another example, whenthe PU is inter-mode encoded, the PU may include data defining a motionvector for the PU. The data defining the motion vector may describe, forexample, a horizontal component of the motion vector, a verticalcomponent of the motion vector, a resolution for the motion vector(e.g., integer pixel precision, one-quarter pixel precision, one-eighthpixel precision), a reference frame to which the motion vector points,and/or a reference list (e.g., list 0 or list 1) for the motion vector.Data for the CU defining the PU(s) may also describe, for example,partitioning of the CU into one or more PUs. Partitioning modes maydiffer between whether the CU is uncoded, intra-prediction mode encoded,or inter-prediction mode encoded.

A CU having one or more PUs may also include one or more transform units(TUs). Following prediction using a PU, a video encoder may calculate aresidual value for the portion of the CU corresponding to the PU. Theresidual value may be transformed, quantized, and scanned. A TU is notnecessarily limited to the size of a PU. Thus, TUs may be larger orsmaller than corresponding PUs for the same CU. In some examples, themaximum size of a TU may correspond to the size of the CU that includesthe TU.

Coding a PU using inter-prediction involves calculating a motion vectorbetween a current block and a block in a reference frame. Motion vectorsare calculated through a process called motion estimation (or motionsearch). A motion vector, for example, may indicate the displacement ofa prediction unit in a current frame relative to a reference sample of areference frame. A reference sample may be a block that is found toclosely match the portion of the CU including the PU being coded interms of pixel difference, which may be determined by sum of absolutedifference (SAD), sum of squared difference (SSD), or other differencemetrics. The reference sample may occur anywhere within a referenceframe or reference slice. In some examples, the reference sample mayoccur at a fractional pixel position. Upon finding a portion of thereference frame that best matches the current portion, the encoderdetermines the current motion vector for the current portion as thedifference in the location from the current portion to the matchingportion in the reference frame (i.e., from the center of the currentportion to the center of the matching portion).

In some examples, video encoder 20 may signal the motion vector for eachportion in the encoded video bitstream. The signaled motion vector isused by video decoder 30 to perform motion compensation in order todecode the video data. However, signaling the original motion vectordirectly may result in less efficient coding, as a large number of bitsare typically needed to convey the information.

In some examples, rather than directly signaling the original motionvector, video encoder 20 may predict a motion vector for each partitionor video block (e.g., for each PU in HEVC). In performing this motionvector prediction, video encoder 20 may select a set of candidate motionvectors determined from spatially neighboring blocks in the same frameas the current portion or a candidate motion vector determined from aco-located block in a reference frame (e.g., a temporal motion vectorpredictor (MVP)). Video encoder 20 may perform motion vector prediction,and if needed, signal the prediction difference (also called motionvector difference (MVD)), rather than signal an original motion vector,to reduce bit rate in signaling. The candidate motion vector vectorsfrom the spatially neighboring blocks may be referred to as spatial MVPcandidates, whereas the candidate motion vector from the co-locatedblock in another reference frame may be referred to as temporal MVPcandidate.

Two different modes or types of motion vector prediction are used in theHEVC standard. One mode is referred to as a “merge” mode. The other modeis referred to as advanced motion vector prediction (AMVP). In mergemode, video encoder 20 instructs video decoder 30, through bitstreamsignaling of prediction syntax, to copy a motion vector, reference index(identifying a reference frame, in a given reference picture list, towhich the motion vector points) and the motion prediction direction(which identifies the reference picture list (List 0 or List 1), i.e.,in terms of whether the reference frame temporally precedes or followsthe currently frame) from a selected candidate motion vector for acurrent portion of the frame. This is accomplished by signaling in thebitstream an index into a candidate motion vector list identifying theselected candidate motion vector (i.e., the particular spatial MVPcandidate or temporal MVP candidate). Thus, for merge mode, theprediction syntax may include a flag identifying the mode (in this case“merge” mode) and an index identifying the selected candidate motionvector. In some instances, the candidate motion vector will be in acausal portion in reference to the current portion. That is, thecandidate motion vector will have already been decoded by video decoder30. As such, video decoder 30 has already received and/or determined themotion vector, reference index, and motion prediction direction for thecausal portion. As such, the decoder may simply retrieve the motionvector, reference index, and motion prediction direction associated withthe causal portion from memory and copy these values as the motioninformation for the current portion. To reconstruct a block in mergemode, the decoder obtains the predictive block using the derived motioninformation for the current portion, and adds the residual data to thepredictive block to reconstruct the coded block.

In AMVP, video encoder 20 instructs video decoder 30, through bitstreamsignaling, to only copy the motion vector from the candidate portion anduse the copied vector as a predictor for motion vector of the currentportion. Video encoder 20 also encodes and signals an MVD to videodecoder 30 along with the reference index of the reference frame formotion vector predictor the prediction direction associated with themotion vector predictor of the current block. An MVD is the differencebetween the current motion vector for the current block and a motionvector predictor derived from a candidate block. In this case, videoencoder 20, using motion estimation, determines an actual motion vectorfor the block to be coded, and then determines the difference betweenthe actual motion vector and the motion vector predictor as the MVDvalue. In this way, video decoder 30 does not use an exact copy of thecandidate motion vector as the current motion vector, as in the mergemode, but may rather use a candidate motion vector that may be “close”in value to the current motion vector determined from motion estimationand add the MVD to reproduce the current motion vector. To reconstruct ablock in AMVP mode, video decoder 30 adds the corresponding residualdata to the block pointed to by the current motion vector to reconstructthe coded block.

In most circumstances, the MVD requires fewer bits to signal than theentire current motion vector. As such, AMVP allows for more precisesignaling of the current motion vector while maintaining codingefficiency over sending the whole motion vector. In contrast, the mergemode does not allow for the specification of an MVD, and as such, mergemode sacrifices accuracy of motion vector signaling for increasedsignaling efficiency (i.e., fewer bits). The prediction syntax for AMVPmay include a flag for the mode (in this case AMVP flag), the index forthe candidate block, the MVD between the current motion vector and thepredictive motion vector from the candidate block, the reference index,and the motion prediction direction.

In accordance with example techniques of this disclosure, video encoder20 may inter-mode encode a CU (e.g., using inter-prediction) using oneor more PUs having motion vectors of varying sub-integer and/or integerpixel precision. For example, video encoder 20 may select between usinga motion vector having integer pixel precision or fractional (e.g.one-fourth or one-eighth) pixel precision for a PU based on the contentof the video data being encoded. According to some techniques of thisdisclosure, video encoder 20 may not need to generate, for inclusion inthe bitstream of encoded video data, an indication of the sub-pixelprecision for a motion vector of a PU. Instead, video decoder 30 mayderive the motion vector precision using the same derivation techniquesused by video encoder 20. According to other techniques of thisdisclosure, video encoder 20 may include, in the bitstream of encodedvideo data, one or more syntax elements that video decoder 30 may use todetermine the selected motion vector precision.

To calculate values for sub-integer pixel positions (e.g., whenperforming inter-prediction), video encoder 20 may include a variety ofinterpolation filters. For example, bilinear interpolation may be usedto calculate values for sub-integer pixel positions. Video encoder 20may be configured to perform a motion search with respect to luminancedata of a PU to calculate a motion vector using the luminance data ofthe PU. Video encoder 20 may then reuse the motion vector to encodechrominance data of the PU. Typically, chrominance data has a lowerresolution than corresponding luminance data, e.g., one-quarter of theresolution of luminance data. Therefore, the motion vector forchrominance data may have a higher precision than for luminance data.For example, video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 may use one-quarterpixel precision motion vectors (and calculated MVDs) for luminance data,and may use one-eighth pixel precision for chrominance data. Similarly,video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 may use one-eighth pixel precisionmotion vectors for luminance data, and may use one-sixteenth pixelprecision for chrominance data.

Following intra-predictive or inter-predictive coding to producepredictive data and residual data, and following any transforms (such asthe 4×4 or 8×8 integer transform used in H.264/AVC or a discrete cosinetransform DCT) to produce transform coefficients, quantization oftransform coefficients may be performed. Quantization generally refersto a process in which transform coefficients are quantized to possiblyreduce the amount of data used to represent the coefficients. Thequantization process may reduce the bit depth associated with some orall of the coefficients. For example, an n-bit value may be rounded downto an m-bit value during quantization, where n is greater than m.

Following quantization, entropy coding of the quantized data may beperformed, e.g., according to content adaptive variable length coding(CAVLC), context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC), or anotherentropy coding methodology. A processing unit configured for entropycoding, or another processing unit, may perform other processingfunctions, such as zero run length coding of quantized coefficientsand/or generation of syntax information such as coded block pattern(CBP) values, macroblock type, coding mode, LCU size, or the like.

According to the techniques of the disclosure described in more detailbelow, video encoder 20 and/or video decoder 30 may be configured todetermine an MVD coding technique from two or more MVD codingtechniques, and code an MVD for a block of video data using thedetermined MVD coding technique. In some examples, video encoder 20 andvideo decoder 30 may be configured to determine an MVD coding techniquesbased on the MVD precision used, the POC distance of the referenceframe, both the MVD precision and POC distance, and/or other videocoding characteristics. The techniques of this disclosure are generallydescribed in reference to coding MVDs. However, the techniques of thisdisclosure may also be applied to video coding systems that signalentire motion vectors as well.

Video decoder 30 of destination device 14 may be configured to performtechniques similar, and generally symmetric, to any or all of thetechniques of video encoder 20 of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of video encoder 20that may implement techniques for coding and/or signaling MVDs. Videoencoder 20 may perform intra- and inter-prediction of blocks withinvideo frames, including LCUs, CUs, and PUs, and calculate residualvalues that may be encoded as TUs. Intra-coding relies on spatialprediction to reduce or remove spatial redundancy in video within agiven video frame. Inter-coding relies on temporal prediction to reduceor remove temporal redundancy in video within adjacent frames of a videosequence. Intra-mode (I-mode) may refer to any of several spatial basedcompression modes and inter-modes such as uni-directional prediction(P-mode) or bi-directional prediction (B-mode) may refer to any ofseveral temporal-based compression modes. Motion estimation unit 42 andmotion compensation unit 44 may perform inter-prediction coding, whileintra-prediction unit 46 may perform intra-prediction coding.

As shown in FIG. 2, video encoder 20 receives a current video blockwithin a video frame to be encoded. In the example of FIG. 2, videoencoder 20 includes video data memory 38, motion compensation unit 44,motion estimation unit 42, intra-prediction unit 46, decoded picturebuffer 64, summer 50, transform unit 52, quantization unit 54, andentropy encoding unit 56. For video block reconstruction, video encoder20 also includes inverse quantization unit 58, inverse transform unit60, and summer 62. A deblocking filter (not shown in FIG. 2) may also beincluded to filter block boundaries to remove blockiness artifacts fromreconstructed video. If desired, the deblocking filter would typicallyfilter the output of summer 62.

Video data memory 38 may store video data to be encoded by thecomponents of video encoder 20. The video data stored in video datamemory 38 may be obtained, for example, from video source 18. Decodedpicture buffer 64 may be a reference picture memory that storesreference video data for use in encoding video data by video encoder 20,e.g., in intra- or inter-coding modes. Video data memory 38 and decodedpicture buffer 64 may be formed by any of a variety of memory devices,such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), including synchronous DRAM(SDRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), or othertypes of memory devices. Video data memory 38 and decoded picture buffer64 may be provided by the same memory device or separate memory devices.In various examples, video data memory 38 may be on-chip with othercomponents of video encoder 20, or off-chip relative to thosecomponents.

During the encoding process, video encoder 20 receives a video frame orslice to be coded. The frame or slice may be divided into multiple videoblocks (e.g., LCUs). Motion estimation unit 42 and motion compensationunit 44 perform inter-predictive coding of the received video blockrelative to one or more blocks in one or more reference frames toprovide temporal compression. Intra-prediction unit 46 may performintra-predictive coding of the received video block relative to one ormore neighboring blocks in the same frame or slice as the block to becoded to provide spatial compression.

Mode select unit 40 may select one of the coding modes, intra or inter,e.g., based on error results, and provides the resulting intra- orinter-coded block to summer 50 to generate residual block data and tosummer 62 to reconstruct the encoded block for use as a reference frame.When mode select unit 40 selects inter-mode encoding for a block,resolution selection unit 48 may select a resolution for a motion vector(e.g., a sub-pixel or integer pixel precision) for the block. Forexample, resolution selection unit 48 may select one-eighth-pixelprecision or one-quarter-pixel precision for a motion vector and MVD forthe block.

As an example, resolution selection unit 48 may be configured to comparean error difference (e.g., the difference between a reconstructed blockand the original block) between using a one-quarter-pixel precisionmotion vector to encode a block and using a one-eighth-pixel precisionmotion vector to encode the block. Motion estimation unit 42 may beconfigured to encode a block using one or more quarter-pixel precisionmotion vectors in a first coding pass and one or more eighth-pixelprecision motion vectors in a second coding pass. Motion estimation unit42 may further use a variety of combinations of one or morequarter-pixel precision motion vectors and one or more eighth-pixelprecision motion vectors for the block in a third encoding pass.Resolution selection unit 48 may calculate rate-distortion values foreach encoding pass of the block and calculate differences between therate-distortion values.

When the difference exceeds a threshold, resolution selection unit 48may select the one-eighth-pixel precision motion vector for encoding theblock. Resolution selection unit 48 may also evaluate rate-distortioninformation, analyze a bit budget, and/or analyze other factors todetermine whether to use one-eighth-pixel precision or one-quarter-pixelprecision for a motion vector when encoding a block during an inter-modeprediction process. After selecting one-eighth-pixel precision orone-quarter-pixel precision for a block to be inter-mode encoded, modeselect unit 40 or motion estimation may send a message (e.g., a signal)to motion estimation unit 42 indicative of the selected precision for amotion vector.

In addition, according to the techniques of the disclosure described inmore detail below, video encoder 20 may be configured to determine anMVD coding technique from two or more MVD coding techniques, and code anMVD for a block of video data using the determined MVD coding technique.As will discussed in more detail below, video encoder 20 may determine aparticular MVD coding and/or signaling technique based oncharacteristics of video data or coding methods, including MV precision,POC difference, or any other already coded/decoded information of ablock of video data.

Motion estimation unit 42 and motion compensation unit 44 may be highlyintegrated, but are illustrated separately for conceptual purposes.Motion estimation is the process of generating motion vectors, whichestimate motion for video blocks. A motion vector, for example, mayindicate the displacement of a predictive block within a predictivereference frame (or other coded unit) relative to the current blockbeing coded within the current frame (or other coded unit). A predictiveblock is a block that is found to closely match the block to be coded,in terms of pixel difference, which may be determined by sum of absolutedifference (SAD), sum of square difference (SSD), or other differencemetrics. A motion vector may also indicate displacement of a partitionof a macroblock. Motion compensation may involve fetching or generatingthe predictive block based on the motion vector determined by motionestimation. Again, motion estimation unit 42 and motion compensationunit 44 may be functionally integrated, in some examples.

Motion estimation unit 42 calculates a motion vector for the video blockof an inter-coded frame by comparing the video block to video blocks ofa reference frame in decoded picture buffer 64. Motion compensation unit44 may also interpolate sub-integer pixels of the reference frame, e.g.,an I-frame or a P-frame. The ITU H.264 standard, as an example,describes two lists: list 0, which includes reference frames having adisplay order earlier than a current frame being encoded, and list 1,which includes reference frames having a display order later than thecurrent frame being encoded. Therefore, data stored in decoded picturebuffer 64 may be organized according to these lists.

In some examples, motion compensation unit 44 may be configured tointerpolate values for one-sixteenth pixel positions of chrominance dataof a CU when a motion vector for luminance data of the CU has one-eighthpixel precision. To interpolate values for the one-sixteenth pixelpositions of the chrominance data, motion compensation unit 44 mayutilize bilinear interpolation. Therefore, summer 50 may calculate aresidual for the chrominance data of the CU relative to bilinearinterpolated values of one-sixteenth pixel positions of a referenceblock. In this manner, video encoder 20 may calculate, using bilinearinterpolation, values of one-sixteenth pixel positions of chrominancedata of a reference block identified by a motion vector and encodechrominance data of a coding unit based on the bilinear interpolatedvalues of the reference block, when luminance data of the coding unitwas encoded using a motion vector having one-eighth pixel precision forthe luminance data.

Motion estimation unit 42 compares blocks of one or more referenceframes from decoded picture buffer 64 to a block to be encoded of acurrent frame, e.g., a P-frame or a B-frame. When the reference framesin decoded picture buffer 64 include values for sub-integer pixels, amotion vector calculated by motion estimation unit 42 may refer to asub-integer pixel location of a reference frame. Motion estimation unit42 and/or motion compensation unit 44 may also be configured tocalculate values for sub-integer pixel positions of reference framesstored in decoded picture buffer 64 if no values for sub-integer pixelpositions are stored in decoded picture buffer 64. Motion estimationunit 42 sends the calculated motion vector to entropy encoding unit 56and motion compensation unit 44. The reference frame block identified bya motion vector may be referred to as a predictive block.

Motion estimation unit 42, motion compensation unit 44, mode select unit40, or another unit of video encoder 20, may also signal the use of apixel precision (e.g., an integer pixel precision, one-quarter-pixelprecision, one-eighth-pixel precision or other) for a motion vector usedto encode a block. For example, motion estimation unit 42 may send anindication (e.g., a precision indicator using one or more syntaxelements) of an integer or sub-integer pixel precision for the motionvector to entropy encoding unit 56. Motion estimation unit 42 may alsoprovide context information relating to size information for a PUcorresponding to the motion vector to entropy encoding unit 56, wherethe size information may include any or all of a depth of a CU includingthe PU, a size of the PU, and/or a type for the PU.

Motion compensation unit 44 may calculate prediction data based on thepredictive block. Video encoder 20 forms a residual video block bysubtracting the prediction data from motion compensation unit 44 fromthe original video block being coded. Summer 50 represents the componentor components that perform this subtraction operation. Transform unit 52applies a transform, such as a discrete cosine transform (DCT) or aconceptually similar transform, to the residual block, producing a videoblock comprising residual transform coefficient values.

Transform unit 52 may perform other transforms, such as those defined bythe H.264 standard, which are conceptually similar to DCT. Wavelettransforms, integer transforms, sub-band transforms or other types oftransforms could also be used. In any case, transform unit 52 appliesthe transform to the residual block, producing a block of residualtransform coefficients. The transform may convert the residualinformation from a pixel value domain to a transform domain, such as afrequency domain. Quantization unit 54 quantizes the residual transformcoefficients to further reduce bit rate. The quantization process mayreduce the bit depth associated with some or all of the coefficients.The degree of quantization may be modified by adjusting a quantizationparameter.

Following quantization, entropy encoding unit 56 entropy codes thequantized transform coefficients. For example, entropy encoding unit 56may perform content CAVLC, CABAC, or another entropy coding technique.Following the entropy coding by entropy encoding unit 56, the encodedvideo may be transmitted to another device or archived for latertransmission or retrieval. In the case of context adaptive binaryarithmetic coding, context may be based on neighboring macroblocks.

In some cases, entropy encoding unit 56 or another unit of video encoder20 may be configured to perform other coding functions, in addition toentropy coding. For example, entropy encoding unit 56 may be configuredto determine the CBP values for the macroblocks and partitions. Also, insome cases, entropy encoding unit 56 may perform run length coding ofthe coefficients in a macroblock or partition thereof. In particular,entropy encoding unit 56 may apply a zig-zag scan or other scan patternto scan the transform coefficients in a macroblock or partition andencode runs of zeros for further compression. Entropy encoding unit 56also may construct header information with appropriate syntax elementsfor transmission in the encoded video bitstream.

In accordance with the techniques of this disclosure, in instances wherethe sub-pixel precision is signaled rather than derived, entropyencoding unit 56 may be configured to encode an indication of asub-pixel precision for a motion vector, e.g., to indicate whether themotion vector has integer-pixel precision or has sub-pixel precision,such as one-quarter pixel precision or one-eighth pixel precision (orother sub-pixel precisions, in various examples). Entropy encoding unit56 may encode the indication using CABAC. Furthermore, entropy encodingunit 56 may use context information for performing CABAC to encode theindication that indicates size information for a PU corresponding to themotion vector, where the size information may include any or all of adepth of a CU including the PU, a size of the PU, and/or a type for thePU.

As discussed above, video encoder 20 may predictively signal the motionvector. Two examples of predictive signaling techniques that may beimplemented by video encoder 20 include AMVP and merge mode signaling.In AMVP, video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 both assemble candidatelists based on motion vectors determined from already coded blocks.Video encoder 20 then signals an index into the candidate list toidentify a motion vector predictor (MVP) and signals an MVD. As will bediscussed in more detail below, video encoder 20 (e.g., through entropyencoding unit 56) may binarize and context encode (e.g., using CABAC)syntax elements that represent the MVD. Video decoder 30 inter predictsa block using the MVP as modified by the MVD, e.g. using a motion vectorequal to MVP+MVD.

In merge mode, video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 both assemble acandidate list based on already coded blocks, and video encoder 20signals an index for one of the candidates in the candidate list. Inmerge mode, video decoder 30 inter predicts the current block using themotion vector and the reference picture index of the signaled candidate.In both AMVP and merge mode, video encoder 20 and video decoder 30utilize the same list construction techniques, such that the list usedby video encoder 20 when determining how to encode a block matches thelist used by video decoder 30 when determining how to decode the block.

Inverse quantization unit 58 and inverse transform unit 60 apply inversequantization and inverse transformation, respectively, to reconstructthe residual block in the pixel domain, e.g., for later use as areference block. Motion compensation unit 44 may calculate a referenceblock by adding the residual block to a predictive block of one of theframes of decoded picture buffer 64. Motion compensation unit 44 mayalso apply one or more interpolation filters to the reconstructedresidual block to calculate sub-integer pixel values for use in motionestimation. Summer 62 adds the reconstructed residual block to themotion compensated prediction block produced by motion compensation unit44 to produce a reconstructed video block for storage in decoded picturebuffer 64. The reconstructed video block may be used by motionestimation unit 42 and motion compensation unit 44 as a reference blockto inter-code a block in a subsequent video frame.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of video decoder 30,which decodes an encoded video sequence. In the example of FIG. 3, videodecoder 30 includes an entropy decoding unit 70, motion compensationunit 72, intra prediction unit 74, inverse quantization unit 76, inversetransformation unit 78, decoded picture buffer 82, and summer 80. Videodecoder 30 may, in some examples, perform a decoding pass generallyreciprocal to the encoding pass described with respect to video encoder20 (FIG. 2). Motion compensation unit 72 may generate prediction databased on motion vectors received from entropy decoding unit 70.

Video data memory 68 may store video data, such as an encoded videobitstream, to be decoded by the components of video decoder 30. Thevideo data stored in video data memory 68 may be obtained, for example,from communication channel 16, e.g., from a local video source, such asa camera, via wired or wireless network communication of video data, orby accessing physical data storage media. Video data memory 68 may forma coded picture buffer (CPB) that stores encoded video data from anencoded video bitstream. Decoded picture buffer 82 may be a referencepicture memory that stores reference video data for use in decodingvideo data by video decoder 30, e.g., in intra- or inter-coding modes.Video data memory 68 and decoded picture buffer 82 may be formed by anyof a variety of memory devices, such as DRAM, including synchronousSDRAM, MRAM, RRAM, or other types of memory devices. Video data memory68 and decoded picture buffer 82 may be provided by the same memorydevice or separate memory devices. In various examples, video datamemory 68 may be on-chip with other components of video decoder 30, oroff-chip relative to those components.

Entropy decoding unit 70 may retrieve an encoded bitstream, for example,from video data memory 68. The encoded bitstream may include entropycoded video data (e.g., encoded blocks of video data). Entropy decodingunit 70 may decode the entropy coded video data, and from the entropydecoded video data, motion compensation unit 72 may determine motioninformation, including motion vectors, motion vector precision,reference picture list indexes, and other motion information. Motioncompensation unit 72 may, for example, determine such information byperforming the AMVP and merge mode techniques described above.

Motion compensation unit 72 may use motion vectors and/or MVDs receivedin the bitstream to identify a prediction block in reference frames indecoded picture buffer 82. The precision used for encoding motionvectors and/or MVDs may be defined by precision indicators (e.g., one ormore syntax elements) that are decoded by entropy decoding unit 70.Intra prediction unit 74 may use intra prediction modes received in thebitstream to form a prediction block from spatially adjacent blocks.Inverse quantization unit 76 inverse quantizes, i.e., de-quantizes, thequantized block coefficients provided in the bitstream and decoded byentropy decoding unit 70. The inverse quantization process may include aconventional process, e.g., as defined by the H.264 decoding standard.The inverse quantization process may also include use of a quantizationparameter QPy calculated by video encoder 20 for each macroblock todetermine a degree of quantization and, likewise, a degree of inversequantization that should be applied.

Inverse transform unit 58 applies an inverse transform, e.g., an inverseDCT, an inverse integer transform, or a conceptually similar inversetransform process, to the transform coefficients in order to produceresidual blocks in the pixel domain. Motion compensation unit 72produces motion compensated blocks, possibly performing interpolationbased on interpolation filters. Identifiers for interpolation filters tobe used for motion estimation with sub-pixel precision may be includedin the syntax elements.

Motion compensation unit 72 may use interpolation filters as used byvideo encoder 20 during encoding of the video block to calculateinterpolated values for sub-integer pixels of a reference block. Motioncompensation unit 72 may determine the interpolation filters used byvideo encoder 20 according to received syntax information and use theinterpolation filters to produce predictive blocks. In accordance withthe techniques of this disclosure, motion compensation unit 72 mayinterpolate values of one-sixteenth pixel positions of chrominance dataof a reference block when a motion vector has one-eighth pixel precisionfor luminance data. For example, motion compensation unit 72 may usebilinear interpolation to interpolate the values of the one-sixteenthpixel positions of the reference block.

Motion compensation unit 72 uses some of the syntax information todetermine sizes of LCUs and CUs used to encode frame(s) and/or slice(s)of the encoded video sequence, partition information that describes howeach macroblock of a frame of the encoded video sequence is partitioned,modes indicating how each partition is encoded, one or more referenceframes (and reference frame lists) for each inter-encoded CU, and otherinformation to decode the encoded video sequence.

According to the techniques of the disclosure described in more detailbelow, video decoder 30 may be configured to determine an MVD codingtechnique from two or more MVD coding techniques, and decode an MVD fora block of video data using the determined MVD coding technique. Videodecoder 30 may determine a particular MVD decoding and/or signalingtechnique based on characteristics of video data or coding methods,including MV precision, POC difference, or any other alreadycoded/decoded information of a block of video data.

Summer 80 sums the residual blocks with the corresponding predictionblocks generated by motion compensation unit 72 or intra-prediction unitto form decoded blocks. If desired, a deblocking filter may also beapplied to filter the decoded blocks in order to remove blockinessartifacts. The decoded video blocks are then stored in decoded picturebuffer 82, which provides reference blocks for subsequent motioncompensation and also produces decoded video for presentation on adisplay device (such as display device 32 of FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating fractional pixel positionsfor a full pixel position. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates fractionalpixel positions for full pixel (pel) 100. Full pixel 100 corresponds tohalf-pixel positions 102A-102C (half pels 102), quarter pixel positions104A-104L (quarter pels 104), and one-eighth-pixel positions 106A-106AV(eighth pels 106).

FIG. 4 illustrates eighth pixel positions 106 of a block using dashedoutlining to indicate that these positions may be optionally included.That is, if a motion vector (e.g., as reconstructed from an MVD of thesame precision) has one-eighth-pixel precision, the motion vector maypoint to any of full pixel position 100, half pixel positions 102,quarter pixel positions 104, or eighth pixel positions 106. However, ifthe motion vector has one-quarter-pixel precision, the motion vector maypoint to any of full pixel position 100, half pixel positions 102, orquarter pixel positions 104, but would not point to eighth pixelpositions 106. It should further be understood that in other examples,other precisions may be used, e.g., one-sixteenth pixel precision,one-thirty-second pixel precision, or the like.

A value for the pixel at full pixel position 100 may be included in acorresponding reference frame. That is, the value for the pixel at fullpixel position 100 generally corresponds to the actual value of a pixelin the reference frame, e.g., that is ultimately rendered and displayedwhen the reference frame is displayed. Values for half-pixel positions102, quarter-pixel positions 104, and eighth-pixel positions 106(collectively referred to as fractional pixel positions) may beinterpolated using adaptive interpolation filters or fixed interpolationfilters, e.g., filters of various numbers of “taps” (coefficients) suchas various Wiener filters, bilinear filters, or other filters. Ingeneral, the value of a fractional pixel position may be interpolatedfrom one or more neighboring pixels, which correspond to values ofneighboring full pixel positions or previously determined fractionalpixel positions.

In some examples of this disclosure, video encoder 20 may adaptivelyselect precision for a motion vector and/or MVD, e.g., between integerpixel precision or fractional pixel precision such as one-eighth pixelprecision and one-quarter pixel precision. Video encoder 20 may makethis selection for each motion vector, each CU, each LCU, each slice,each frame, each GOP, or other coded units of video data. When videoencoder 20 selects one-quarter pixel precision for a motion vector, themotion vector may refer to any of full pixel position 100, half pixelpositions 102, or quarter pixel positions 104. When video encoder 20selects one-eighth pixel precision for a motion vector, the motionvector may refer to any of full pixel position 100, half pixel positions102, quarter pixel positions 104, or eighth pixel positions 106.

FIGS. 5A-5C are conceptual diagrams illustrating correspondingchrominance and luminance pixel positions. FIGS. 5A-5C also illustratehow motion vectors calculated for luminance data may be reused forchrominance data. As a preliminary matter, FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate apartial row of pixel positions. It should be understood that inpractice, a full pixel position may have a rectangular grid ofassociated fractional pixel positions, such as that illustrated in FIG.4. The example of FIGS. 5A-5C are intended to illustrate the conceptsdescribed in this disclosure, and are not intended as an exhaustivelisting of correspondences between fractional chrominance pixelpositions and fractional luminance pixel positions.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate pixel positions of a luminance block, includingfull luminance pixel position 110, half luminance pixel position 116,quarter pixel position 112, and eighth luminance pixel positions 114A,114B. FIGS. 5A-5C also illustrate corresponding pixel positions of achrominance block, including full chrominance pixel position 120,quarter chrominance pixel position 122, eighth chrominance pixelposition 124, and sixteenth chrominance pixel positions 126A, 126B. Inthis example, full chrominance pixel 120 corresponds to full luminancepixel 110. Further, in this example, the chrominance block isdownsampled by a factor of two horizontally and vertically relative tothe luminance block. Thus, quarter chrominance pixel 122 corresponds tohalf luminance pixel 116. Similarly, eighth chrominance pixel 124corresponds to quarter luminance pixel 112, sixteenth chrominance pixel126A corresponds to eighth luminance pixel 114A, and sixteenthchrominance pixel 126B corresponds to eighth luminance pixel 114B.

In advanced video codecs, such as H.264/AVC, HEVC, and potentially thesuccessor codecs to H.264 and HEVC, the bit cost of signaling motionvectors may increase. To lower this bit cost, decoder side MV derivation(DMVD) may be used. In S. Kamp and M. Wien, “Decoder-side motion vectorderivation for block-based video coding,” IEEE Transactions on Circuitsand Systems for Video Technology, vol. 22, pp. 1732-1745, Dec. 2012,DMVD was proposed based on an L-shape template matching.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example L-shape template matching forDMVD. In the example of FIG. 6, current block 132 of current picture 134is inter predicted using template matching. Template 136 defines a shapethat covers already-decoded neighboring blocks of current block 132. Avideo decoder (e.g., video decoder 30) may, for example, first comparethe pixel values included in the already-decoded neighboring blockscovered by template 136 to pixel values included in the already-decodedneighboring blocks covered by co-located template 138, which coversblocks located in a reference picture of reference pictures 140. Thevideo decoder may then move the template to other locations in thereference picture and compare the pixel values covered by the templateto the pixel values included in the already-decoded neighboring blockscovered by template 136.

Based on these multiple comparisons, the video decoder may determine abest match, such as best match 142 shown in the example of FIG. 6. Thevideo decoder may then determine a displacement between the best matchand the co-located template. This displacement (e.g. displacement 144 inFIG. 6) corresponds to the motion vector used to predict current block132.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, when a block is coded in DMVD mode, the MV forthe block is searched by video decoder 30, as opposed to being directlysignaled to video decoder 30. The MV which leads to the minimaldistortion by template matching is selected as the final MV for theblock. To keep high coding efficiency, a certain number of templatematches may be necessary for decoder 30 to select a candidate motionvector as the MV to decode the current block, which may increasedecoding complexity.

To reduce decoding complexity in DMVD, a mirror based bi-directional MVderivation method was proposed in Y.-J. Chiu, L. Xu, W. Zhang, H. Jiang,“DECODER-SIDE MOTION ESTIMATION AND WIENER FILTER FOR HEVC”, VCIPworkshop 2013, Malaysia, 17-20 Nov. 2013.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example mirror basedbi-directional MV derivation. As illustrated in FIG. 7, mirror basedbi-directional MV derivation may be applied by centro-symmetric motionestimation around search centers in fractional sample accuracy atdecoder side. The size/location of search window may be pre-defined andsignaled in bitstream. In FIG. 7, dMV is an offset which is added toPMV0 and is subtracted from PMV1 to generate a MV pair, MV0 and MV1. Allthe values of dMV inside a search window may be checked and the Sum ofAbsolute Difference (SAD) between the L0 reference and the L1 referenceblocks may be used as the measurement of centro-symmetric motionestimation. An MV pair with a minimum SAD may be selected as the finalMVs for the block.

Techniques relating to adaptive motion vector resolution will now bediscussed. Sub-pixel motion compensation is often more efficient thaninteger-pixel motion compensation. However, for some video content, suchas texture content with very high frequency components or screencontent, sub-pixel motion compensation shows no better or even worseperformance. In such cases, it may be better to only have MVs and/orMVDs coded with integer-pixel precision.

As described in L. Guo, P. Yin, Y. Zheng, X. Lu, Q. Xu, J. Sole,“Adaptive motion vector resolution with implicit signaling,” ICIP 2010:2057-2060, adaptive MV resolution was proposed based on reconstructedresidues (e.g., residual values). When the variance of the reconstructedresidue block is above a threshold, video encoder 20 and video decoder30 may determine to use quarter-pixel motion vector precision.Otherwise, video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 use half-pixel motionvector precision when coding motion vectors and MVDs.

As described in J. An, X. Li, X. Guo, S. Lei, “Progressive MVResolution,” JCTVC-F125, Torino, Italy, July 2011, MV resolution isadaptively determined based on the magnitude of signaled MV difference.As described in Y. Zhou, B. Li, J. Xu, G. J. Sullivan, B. Lin, “MotionVector Resolution Control for Screen Content Coding”, JCTVC-P0277, SanJose, US, January 2014, in some examples, video encoder 20 may beconfigured to signal motion vector precision information at the slicelevel.

In other examples, such as those described in US Patent Publication No.2015/0195562, video encoder 20 may be configured to conditionally signalMV precision information using one or more of the following techniques.

As discussed above, in some examples, a decoder side motion vectorprecision derivation method is proposed for screen content. In thisexample, motion vector precision may be dependent on the result oftemplate matching at video decoder 30. When a template matching resultof an integer-pixel position and that of its neighboring sub-pixelposition are quite different (e.g., greater than some thresholddistance), the related region may be regarded as screen content andvideo decoder 30 may decode MVs with integer-pixel precision. Otherwise,video decoder 30 may be configured to use sub-pixel motion vectorprecision. To define “quite different,” one or more fixed or adaptivethresholds may be used.

Video decoder 30 may, for example, decode video data by determining amotion vector precision based on template matching. In such an example,video decoder 30 may, for a current block being coded, identify aninteger pixel position of an already coded neighboring block and, basedon a location of the integer pixel position, apply a template todetermine a plurality of integer pixel positions. Video decoder 30 mayalso apply the template to a plurality of sub-pixel positions todetermine a plurality of sub-pixel positions. The template may, forexample, define a shape, and video decoder 30 may apply the template tovideo data to determine the plurality of integer pixel positions bylocating the plurality of integer pixel positions based on a location ofthe shape relative to the current block. Similarly, video decoder 30 mayapply the template to the video data to determine the plurality ofsub-pixel positions by locating the plurality of sub-pixel pixelpositions based on a location of the shape relative to the currentblock.

Video decoder 30 may compare one or more pixel values for the pluralityof integer pixel positions to one or more pixel values for the pluralityof sub-pixel positions and, based on the comparison, determine a motionvector precision for a motion vector. Video decoder 30 may decode thecurrent block using the motion vector. Video decoder 30 may, forexample, determine the motion vector using a merge mode, an AMVP mode,or some other such mode.

Video decoder 30 may determine the motion vector precision for themotion vector by comparing one or more pixel values for the plurality ofinteger pixel positions to one or more pixel values for the plurality ofsub-pixel positions to determine a difference value that corresponds toan amount of difference in pixel values between the one or more pixelvalues for the plurality of integer pixel positions and the one or morepixel values for the plurality of sub-pixel positions. In response tothe difference value being greater than a threshold value, video decoder30 determine the motion vector precision is integer pixel precision. Inresponse to the difference value being less than a threshold value,video decoder 30 may determine the motion vector precision to besub-pixel precision. The threshold value may be a fixed value, anadaptive value, or some other type of value. To compare the one or morepixel values for the plurality of integer pixel positions to the one ormore pixel values for the plurality of sub-pixel positions, videodecoder 30 may, for example, determining a sum of absolute differencesbetween the one or more pixel values for the plurality of integer pixelpositions and the one or more pixel values for the plurality ofsub-pixel positions.

According to other techniques of this disclosure, the motion vectorprecision may be dependent on the properties (such as sharpness,gradient, or whether transform is skipped) of spatially neighboringblock(s), temporally neighboring block(s), or both. The motion vectorprecision information may be derived video decoder 30. Alternatively oradditionally, the motion vector precision may be dependent on the motionvector precision of spatially neighboring blocks, temporally neighboringblocks, or both.

Video decoder 30 may, for example, determine a motion vector precisionbased on neighboring block properties. The neighboring blocks may, forexample, include at least one spatially neighboring blocks and/or atleast one temporally neighboring blocks. For a current block beingcoded, video decoder 30 may locate one or more neighboring blocks anddetermine a property of the one or more neighboring blocks. The propertymay, for example, be one or more of a sharpness of the one or moreneighboring blocks, a gradient of the one or more neighboring blocks, ifone or more neighboring blocks were coded in a skip mode, and/or amotion vector precision of the one or more neighboring blocks. Based onthe property of the one or more neighboring blocks, video decoder 30 maydetermine a motion vector precision for a motion vector and decode thecurrent block using the motion vector. Video decoder 30 may, forexample, determine without signaling (e.g. based on a context) whichproperty or properties to determine, may always determine a fixedproperty or properties, or may receive an indication of which propertyor properties to determine.

In another example technique of this disclosure, video encoder 20 maysignal an indicator in the bitstream (e.g., one or more syntax elements)which specify which decoder side motion vector precision method ormethods are used. For example, video encoder 20 may signal the indicatorin the bitstream directly and/or video decoder 30 may derive the valueof the indicator from other information coded in bitstream, such asslice type and temporal level.

Video decoder 30 may, for example, receive in an encoded videobitstream, an indication of a motion vector precision signaling typeand, based on the motion vector precision signaling type, determine amotion vector precision for a block of video data. Video decoder 30 mayuse a motion vector of the determined motion vector precision to locatea reference block for the block of video data. The motion vectorprecision signaling type may, for example, be one of (1) a templatematching type as described above, (2) a neighboring block property-basedtype as described above, or (3) a direct signaling type as will bedescribed in more detail below.

Video decoder 30 may, for example receive the indication of motionvector precision in a slice header, a sequence parameter set (SPS), apicture parameter set (PPS), or at some other level. The indication may,for example, be a slice type. In other words, video decoder 30 maydetermine a slice type for a particular slice and, based on that slicetype, may determine a motion vector precision to use for decoding blocksof that slice. The indication may, for example, be a temporal level of aslice. In other words, video decoder 30 may determine a temporal levelfor a slice and, based on the temporal level of the slice determine amotion vector precision to use for the decoding blocks of the slice.

In another example, video encoder 20 may be configured to signal themotion vector precision information in the bitstream, such as at thelargest coding unit LCU level, the CU level or the PU level. In otherwords, video encoder 20 may generate one or more syntax elements forinclusion in the bitstream of encoded video data, and video decoder 30may parse those syntax elements to determine the motion vector precisionfor a particular block of video data. When a CU is indicated to haveinteger-precision MVs, all PUs inside this CU have integer motion vectorprecision.

In an example, for merge/skip mode, video decoder 30 may round a motionvector to an integer precision only when performing motion compensation.The un-rounded MV may be saved for MV prediction of later blocks. Forexample, video decoder 30 may determine a coding mode for a first blockis a merge mode or a skip mode and determine a motion vector precisionfor the first block is integer pixel precision. Video decoder 30 mayconstruct a merge candidate list for the first block that includes atleast one fractional precision motion vector candidate. Video decoder 30may select the fractional precision motion vector candidate to decodethe first block and round the fractional precision motion vectorcandidate to determine an integer pixel precision motion vector. Videodecoder 30 may locate a reference block for the first block using theinteger pixel precision motion vector.

For a second block (e.g. a block coded based on information of the firstblock), video decoder 30 may add the integer precision motion vectorcandidate to a candidate list (e.g. a merge candidate list or an AMVPcandidate list) for the second block. In other examples, however, videodecoder 30 may add the fractional precision motion vector candidate to acandidate list for a second block.

For non-merge/skip inter mode, MV predictors may be rounded to integerprecision, and the MVD may be signaled in integer precision so thatrounded MV may be saved for later block MV prediction. Alternatively orin addition to, video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 may be configuredto save a MV, before rounding, to later block MV prediction. In anexample, for this case, the rounding may be performed for motioncompensation only. Alternatively or in addition to, a rounded MV may beused in motion compensation and may be saved for later block MVprediction.

For example, video decoder 30 may determine that a coding mode for afirst block is other than a merge mode and determine that a motionvector precision for the first block is integer pixel precision. Videodecoder 30 may determine a fractional precision MVP for the first blockand round the fractional precision MVP to determine an integer pixelprecision MVP for the first block. Video decoder 30 may determine an MVDfor the first block that is integer pixel precision. Video decoder 30may determine an integer pixel precision motion vector based on theinteger pixel precision MVP and the fractional precision MVD. Videodecoder 30 may locate a reference block for the first block using theinteger pixel precision motion vector.

Video decoder 30 may, for example, determine the fractional precisionMVP for the first block by constructing an AMVP candidate list for thefirst block. The AMVP candidate list may include a fractional precisionmotion vector candidate. Video decoder 30 may select the fractionalprecision motion vector candidate as the fractional precision MVP forthe first block. Video decoder 30 may add the fractional precisionmotion vector candidate to a candidate list for a second block that isto be predicted using information of the first block.

Alternatively or additionally, in an example, MVD precision informationmay be signaled, and sub-pixel precision MV may always be used, in someexamples. The MVD precision may be signaled at the LCU level, at the CUlevel, or at the PU level. In one example, when a PU (or CU) isindicated to have integer-precision MVD, the PU (or all PUs inside thisCU) may have integer MVD precision. For AMVP coded PUs, MVD of the PUsmay have integer-pixel precision, while predicted MV and MV of the PUmay have sub-pixel precision. Thus, adding an integer precision MVD to asub-pixel precision MVP results in a sub-pixel motion vector.

For example, video decoder 30 may determine that an MVD precision for afirst block is integer pixel precision. Video decoder 30 may construct acandidate list (e.g. and AMVP candidate list) of MVPs for the firstblock that includes at least one fractional precision motion vectorcandidate. Video decoder 30 may select from the candidate list thefractional precision motion vector candidate and determine a fractionalpixel precision motion vector based on the fractional precision motionvector candidate and the integer pixel precision MVD. Video decoder 30may locate a reference block for the first block using the fractionalpixel precision motion vector.

In another example, the motion vector precision flag may be partiallyapplied to an LCU or a CU. For example, the CU integer precision flag isnot applied to its PUs which are coded with predefined coding modes,such as merge and skip, or with predefined partitions, such as non-2N×2Npartitions, or with special coding tool, such as transform skip or noresidues.

In one example, video decoder 30 may determine a default motion vectorprecision for video data and, in response to a PU of the video databeing coded in a special mode, locate a reference block for the PU usinga motion vector of the default motion vector precision. The special modemay, for example, be one or more of a skip mode, a 2N×2N merge mode, amerge mode, a transform skip mode, or an asymmetric partitioning mode.In response to a second PU of the video data being coded using modesother than a special mode, video decoder 30 may determine for the secondPU of the video data, a signaled motion vector precision and locate areference block for the second PU using a motion vector of the signaledmotion vector precision. Video decoder 30 may determine for a CU of thevideo data, a signaled motion vector precision that is different thanthe default motion vector precision. The CU may, for example, includethe PU and/or the second PU. In one example, the signaled motion vectorprecision may be integer pixel precision while the default motion vectorprecision is a fractional motion vector precision. In other examples,the default motion vector precision may be a fractional motion vectorprecision.

In one example, video encoder 20 may be configured to encode and signalMV/MVD precision information for only the PU or CU that has a non-zeroMVD. When MV/MVD precision information is not signaled, video decoder 30ay be configured to use sub-pixel MV precision for the PU or CU. Videoencoder 20 may be configured to signal MV/MVD precision informationafter encoding and signaling the MVD of a PU or CU. In some examples, anMVD equal to zero may indicate that both the vertical component of theMVD and the horizontal components of the MVD are equal to 0.

As one example, for a current block of video data, video decoder 30 mayreceive one or more syntax elements indicating the MVD value. Inresponse to the MVD value being equal to zero, video decoder 30 may beconfigured to determine that a motion vector for the current block hassub-pixel motion vector precision. The MVD value being equal to zero mayindicate that both an x-component of the MVD value and a y-component ofthe MVD value are equal to zero.

For a second current block of video data, video decoder 30 may receiveone or more syntax elements indicating a second MVD value and, inresponse to the second MVD value being a non-zero value, receive anindication of a motion vector precision for a second motion vector forthe second current block. Video decoder 30 may locate, in a referencepicture, a reference block for the second current block using the secondmotion vector. For the second current block, video decoder 30 mayreceive the indication of the motion vector precision after receivingthe second MVD value.

When MV/MVD precision information is signaled at the PU level, videoencoder 20 may be configured to not signal the MV/MVD precisioninformation if one or more (e.g., any) of the following conditions aretrue: (1) the PU is coded with merge/skip mode, (2) the PU is coded withAMVP mode, and MVD in each prediction direction of the PU is equal tozero, or (3) alternatively or additionally, if one CU could containintra coded PUs and inter coded PUs together, which is disallowed inHEVC/When the PU is intra coded, the signaling of MV/MVD precisioninformation at PU-level is skipped.

Video decoder 30 may, for example, receive, for a first block of videodata (e.g. a first PU), one or more syntax elements indicating firstmotion vector precision information. In response to a second block ofvideo data meeting a condition, video decoder 30 may determine secondmotion vector information to correspond to a default motion vectorprecision. In one example, the condition may be the second block beingcoded using merge mode or skip mode. In another example, the conditionmay be the second block being coded using AMVP mode and an MVD for eachprediction direction of the second block being equal to zero. Thedefault precision may, for instance, be a fractional precision in someexamples or an integer precision in other examples. The first and secondmotion vector precision information may, for example, be one or both ofa motion vector precision or an MVD precision.

When MV/MVD precision information is signaled at the CU level, theMV/MVD precision information may not be signaled if one (and possiblyone or more) of the following conditions is true for all PUs within theCU: (1) the PU is intra coded, (2) the PU is coded with merge/skip mode,or (3) the PU is coded with AMVP mode, and MVD in each predictiondirection of the PU is equal to zero. Alternatively or additionally,when motion vector precision information is not signaled, a defaultmotion vector precision, such as integer motion vector precision, may beused for the PU or CU.

Video decoder 30 may, for example, receive, for a first CU of videodata, first motion vector precision information and, in response to asecond CU of the video data meeting a condition, determine second motionvector information to correspond to a default precision. The conditionmay, for example, be that all PUs within the CU are intra coded, all PUswithin the CU are coded using merge mode or skip mode, all PUs withinthe CU are coded using AMVP and a MVD for each direction of all PUsbeing equal to zero. The default precision may, for example, befractional precision or may be no precision. For example, if a block isintra predicted, then the block has no associated motion vector and,hence, no associated motion vector precision. The first and secondmotion vector precision information may, for example, include one orboth of motion vector precision or MVD precision.

When current AMVP coded PU is signaled/derived as with integer-pixelmotion vector precision, one or more (and in some examples, all) MVcandidates from spatial neighboring blocks, temporal neighboring blocks,or both may be rounded to integer-pixel precision before pruning ingeneration process of AMVP list. When integer-pixel MV issignaled/derived to be used for a current merge, skip-coded CU/PU, orboth, one or more (and in some examples, all) MV candidates from spatialtemporal neighboring blocks, temporal neighboring blocks, or both, maybe rounded to integer-pixel precision before pruning in generationprocess of merge list.

For example, video decoder 30 may identify one or more motion vectorcandidates for inclusion in a candidate list (e.g. a merge candidatelist or an AMVP candidate list) for a block. The one or more motionvector candidates may, for example, include, one or more spatialneighboring candidate and/or one or more temporal neighboringcandidates. The one or more motion vector candidates may include atleast one fractional precision motion vector candidate. In response to amotion vector precision for the block being integer pixel precision,video decoder 30 may round the one or motion vector candidates todetermine one or more integer precision motion vector candidates. Videodecoder 30 may perform a pruning operation on the one or more integerprecision motion vector candidates.

In an example, the motion vector precision flag may be used (orconditionally used) as CABAC contexts of other syntax elements. That is,different context models, depending on the motion vector precision flag,may be used to code certain syntax element. In one example, when codingan AMVP candidate index for a block such as PU, the motion vectorprecision flag(s) of a PU or an associated CU or spatially neighboringblocks or temporally neighboring blocks is (are) used as the CABACcoding context(s). Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, theinitialized probability of AMVP candidate index being equal to 0 may beset close to 1 when motion vector precision flag indicating theinteger-pixel motion vector precision. Alternatively or additionally, insome cases, such as only in B slices, or only when the slice is at acertain temporal level, or when the quantization parameter is largerthan a pre-defined threshold, the motion vector precision flag may beused as CABAC contexts for other syntax elements, such as AMVP candidateindex.

One or more of these examples may be combined. For example, in practice,any combination of any part of the example may be used as new example.Additionally, sub-examples of the above examples, are discussed below.

Some examples relate to decoder side motion vector precision derivationfor screen content. In one example, L-shape or other-shape templatematching on reconstructed samples may be used. The motion vectorprecision may be based on the difference between template matchingresult, such as SAD, of an integer-pixel position and the matchingresult of its neighboring sub-pixel position. For example, when thematching result of integer-pixel position is much lower, integer-pixelprecision applies. Otherwise, sub-pixel precision applies. To define“much lower,” a threshold may be used. In practice, fixed threshold,adaptive threshold, or both may be used. For an adaptive threshold, theadaptive threshold may be signaled in the bitstream or derived based onother information, such as block type, or QP, signaled in bitstream. Inaddition, a threshold for a “much higher” case may also be defined.Consequently, when the matching result of integer-position minus that ofneighboring sub-pixel position is higher than the “much higher”threshold, quarter-pixel precision may be used. When the matchingdifference is between the thresholds of “much lower” and “much higher,”half-pixel precision may be used. Alternatively or in addition, othertemplate matching method, such as the mirror based bi-directionaltemplate matching, may be used instead in the above example.

In another example, the motion vector precision information may bederived at decoder side based on the property of spatially or temporallyneighboring blocks, such as gradient, sharpness, or whether thetransform is skipped for the blocks. Threshold information may besignaled in bitstream, derived from the bitstream, or both.

Some examples relate to indicator signaling. To adaptively fit fordifferent contents, a combination of different methods of decoder sidemotion vector precision derivation (DMPD) may be used. To indicate whichmethod or methods are in use, an indicator may be signaled in bitstream.In one example, the indicator may be signaled at slice level or above toexplicitly tell decoder which DMPD method or methods will be used. Inanother example, the usage of some DMPD methods is signaled in bitstreamwhile the usage of other DMPD methods is derived based on otherinformation, such as slice type and temporal level of the slice, inbitstream.

Some examples relate to signaled adaptive motion vector precision. Insuch an example, motion vector precision may be signaled in bitstreamsuch as at LCU, CU or PU level. A flag/value may be used to indicate themotion vector precision, such as integer precision, half-pixelprecision, quarter-pixel precision, or other precisions. When motionvector precision is signaled for one block or one region/slice, allsmaller blocks within this block/region/slice may share the same motionvector precision. Moreover, MVD information may also signaled in thesignaled precision. Before motion compensation, MV (MV predictor+MVD)may be rounded to the signaled precision. The rounding may be towardpositive infinity, negative infinity, zero, or infinity (negative valueis rounded to negative infinity while positive value is rounded topositive infinity). Alternatively or in addition, MV predictor may befirst rounded as mentioned above and then form the MV for a block. Aftermotion compensation, the MV of the block is saved for MV prediction oflater blocks. When saving the MV, the rounded MV may be saved, forexample, to be used later as a merge candidate or AMVP candidate for asubsequently decoded block. Alternatively or in addition, the unroundedMV may be saved instead of the rounded motion vector, which maypotentially keep the motion field more accurate.

In another example, motion vector precision information is not signaledfor skip mode, 2N×2N merge mode, or both. In such an example, motionvector precision information might also not be signaled for a mergedPUs. Alternatively or additionally, PUs which are coded in specialcoding modes, such as merge mode and skip mode, or with specialpartitions, such as asymmetric partitions, or with special transformdepth or with transform skip, may keep default motion vector precision,such as quarter-pel, even when integer-precision MV is signaled at theirCU level. Alternatively or additionally, other coded information, suchas temporal level, QP, CU depth, may also be considered as a specialcoding mode or a special coding tool.

When entropy coding the motion vector precision information with CABAC,contexts other than the motion vector precision information in spatiallyneighboring blocks/CUs may be used to save line buffer, such as CUdepth, PU partitioning, block size, temporal level and so on.

Pseudo code, syntax, and semantics of example MVD signaling for a block(e.g., PU) is shown below.

Descriptor prediction_unit( x0, y0, nPbW, nPbH ) {  if( cu_skip_flag[ x0][ y0 ] ) {   if( MaxNumMergeCand > 1 )    merge_idx[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v) } else { /* MODE_INTER */   merge_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)   if(merge_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] ) {    if( MaxNumMergeCand > 1 )     merge_idx[x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)   } else {    if( slice_type = = B )    inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)    if( inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ]!= Pred_L1 ) {     if( num_ref_idx _l0_active_minus1 > 0 )     ref_idx_l0[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)     mvd_coding( x0, y0, 0 )    mvp_l0_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)    }    if( inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ]!= Pred_L0 ) {     if( num_ref_idx_l1_active_minus1 > 0 )     ref_idx_l1[ x0 ] [ y0 ] ae(v)     if( mvd_l1_zero_flag &&      inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ] = = Pred_BI) {      MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][0 ] = 0      MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] = 0     } else      mvd_coding( x0,y0, 1 )     mvp_l1_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)    }    if(nonZeroMvd_Exist)    mv_precision_flag[x0][y0] ae(v)   }  } } mvd_coding( x0, y0, refList) {  abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 0 ] ae(v)  abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 1 ] ae(v) if( abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 0 ] )   abs_mvd_greater1_flag[ 0 ] ae(v) if( abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 1 ] )   abs_mvd_greater1_flag[ 1 ] ae(v) if( abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 0 ] ) {   if( abs_mvd_greater1_flag[ 0 ] )   abs_mvd_minus2[ 0 ] ae(v)   mvd_sign_flag[ 0 ] ae(v)  }  if(abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 1 ] ) {   if( abs_mvd_greater1_flag[ 1 ] )   abs_mvd_minus2[ 1 ] ae(v)   mvd_sign_flag[ 1 ] ae(v)  } }

abs_mvd_greater0_flag[0] and abs_mvd_greater0_flag[1] are one bin andshare the same context.

abs_mvd_greater1_flag[0] and abs_mvd_greater1_flag[1 ] are one bin andshare the same context.

abs_mvd_minus2[0] and abs_mvd_minus2[1] are exponantial golomb code withparameter equal to 1.

Two example steps in MVD signaling process when arithmetic coding isused include binarization and context model selection. For example, inHEVC, one component of MVD value is decomposed (binarized) asabs_mvd_greater0_flag, abs_mvd_greater1_flag, abs_mvd_minus2, andmvd_sign_flag. The value of abs_mvd_minus2 is furthered binarized byusing exponantial golomb code with parameter equal to 1.

The current example techniques for MVD signaling may have the followingproblems. MVD signaling techniques, such as binarization and contextmodeling for context-adaptive arithmetic coding, may be inefficient forsome motion vectors or MVDs, as the binarization and contexts are notbased on different formats for coding motion vectors and MVDs, includingmotion vector precision. Different motion vector precisions may havedifferent statistics on the amplitudes of resulting MVDs. Even with thesame motion precision, the statistics with different coding modes, suchas affine or conventional inter mode (for translational motion) may bedifferent. Taking such information into consideration may bringadditional coding gains.

This disclosure proposes to use two or more MVD coding (e.g., signaling)techniques to better represent MVD in the bitstream. In one example, thetechniques used for coding the MVD of a block of video data may bedependent on the motion precision, and/or POC difference between acurrently coded block and a reference picture, or any other alreadycoded/decoded information of the block.

The itemized techniques may be performed by video encoder 20 and/orvideo decoder 30 individually or in any combination. In one example,this disclosure describes that video encoder 20 and/or video decoder 30may be configured to apply two or more different MVD coding techniquesto encoded and decode MVDs, respectively.

In one example, video encoder 20 may be configured to encode a block ofvideo data according to an inter-prediction mode (e.g., an AMVPinter-prediction mode). As part of encoding the block of video dataaccording to AMVP, video encoder 20 may be configured to determine anMVD associated with the block of video data. As will be described inmore detail below, video encoder 20 may be further configured todetermine an MVD coding technique from two or more MVD codingtechniques, and encode one or more syntax elements indicating the MVDusing the determined MVD coding technique. Likewise, video decoder 30may be configured to receive an encoded block of video data, receive oneor more syntax elements indicating an MVD associated with the encodedblock of video data, determine an MVD coding technique from two or moreMVD coding techniques, decode the one or more syntax elements indicatingthe MVD using the determined MVD coding technique, and decode theencoded block of video data using the decoded MVD.

In one example of the disclosure, the one or more syntax elements usedto indicate the MVD may include abs_mvd_greater0_flag[x], abs_mvdgreater1_flag[x], abs_mvd_minus2[x], and mvd_sign_flag[x], where [x]specifies either the horizontal or vertical component of the MVD (e.g.,[0] for the horizontal component and [1] for the vertical component).The value of syntax element abs_mvd_greater0_flag[x] indicates whetheror not the absolute value of the MVD for a specific horizontal orvertical component is greater than zero. The value of syntax elementabs_mvd_greater1_flag[x] indicates whether or not the absolute value ofthe MVD for a specific horizontal or vertical component is greater thanone. Note that the syntax element abs_mvd_greater1_flag[x] is only codedif the value of the corresponding abs_mvd_greater0_flag[x] indicatesthat the absolute value of the component of the MVD is greater thanzero. The value of abs_mvd_minus2[x] indicates the absolute value of theMVD for a specific horizontal or vertical component. Note that thesyntax element abs_mvd_minus2[x] is only coded if the value of thecorresponding abs_mvd_greater1_flag[x] indicates that the absolute valueof the component of the MVD is greater than one. The value of the syntaxelement mvd_sign_flag[x] indicates the polarity (e.g., positive ornegative) or each component of the MVD. The above is one example of howMVDs may be coded. Of course, other groups of syntax elements may beused to code an MVD.

In one example the disclosure, video encoder 20 and/or video decoder 30to be configured to apply two or more different binarization methods forMVD coding/signaling. In one example, video encoder 20 and/or videodecoder 30 may be configured to determine a particular binarizationmethod, from among two or more binarization methods, for coding the oneor more syntax elements indicating the MVD.

In one example of the disclosure, the binarization methods for the oneor more syntax elements indicating the MVD employed by may include, butare not limited to an Exp-Golomb Code, a unary code, a fixed lengthcode, or the like. In one example, video encoder 20 and/or video decoder30 may apply one binarization method, but with different parameters. Forexample, the binarization method is defined as the K-the Exp-Golombbinarization method, where the parameter K may be different within oneslice, tile, and/or picture.

In accordance with an example where the two or more binarizationtechniques include Kth order exponential-Golomb coding, video encoder 20may be configured to determine the value of the parameter K for the Kthorder exponential-Golomb coding used for binarization based oncharacteristics of one or more of a slice, tile, or picture. In someexamples, the value of the parameter K may be signaled to video decoder30. In other examples, video decoder 30 may be configured to determinethe value of K for the Kth order exponential-Golomb coding used forbinarization based on characteristics of one or more of a slice, tile,or picture.

In one example of the disclosure, video encoder 20 and/or video decoder30 may determine the binarization method based on on block size, motionvector precision used for the MVD, a motion model (e.g. affine motion vstranslational motion), inter prediction direction, reference picture,POC difference between current picture and the a reference picture,motion vector or motion vector difference of neighboring blocks,intra/inter mode decision of neighboring blocks, and/or a motionpredictor characteristic (non-scaled vs scaled, spatial vs temporal).

In another example of the disclosure, video encoder 20 and video decoder30 may be configured to determine the binarization of the one or moresyntax elements indicating the MVD based on an MVD precision. Videoencoder 20 and/or video decoder 30 may binarize the abs_mvd_minus2[x]syntax element with a relatively lower order exponantial Golomb code(e.g., Golomb parameter equal to 1) when a relatively higher MVDprecision is applied (e.g., ¼ pixel precision). Video encoder 20 and/orvideo decoder 30 may binarize the abs_mvd_minus2[x] syntax element witha relatively higher order exponantial golomb code (e.g., Golombparameter equal to 2) when lower MVD precision is applied (e.g., integerpixel or multiple pixels precision).

In another example, video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 may beconfigured to determine a binarization technique from the two or morebinarization techniques based on a motion vector precision and/or a POCdistance between the encoded block of video data and a reference pictureassociated with the encoded block of video data. Examples where POCdistance are discussed below in the example implementation. In anexample using motion vector precision, video encoder 20 and videodecoder 30 may be configured to determine that the motion vectorprecision for the block of video data is a one-quarter pixel precision,and determine that a syntax element indicating an absolute value of theMVD minus two is binarized with an exponential Golomb code with aparameter of 1. Video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 may be furtherconfigured to determine that the motion vector precision for the encodedblock of video data is an integer pixel precision, and determine that asyntax element indicating an absolute value of the MVD minus two isbinarized with an exponential Golomb code with a parameter of 2.

In another example of the disclosure, video encoder 20 and/or videodecoder 30 may apply two or more sets of CABAC contexts to the one ormore syntax elements indicating the MVD syntax (e.g., for signalingand/or parsing). In one example, video encoder 20 and/or video decoder30 may be configured to determine a set of CABAC contexts, from amongtwo or more sets of CABAC contexts, for coding the one or more syntaxelements indicating the MVD. In one example, each set of CABAC contextsmay include at least one context. In another example, different sets ofCABAC contexts may have different numbers of contexts.

The condition of selecting one set of CABAC contexts may be dependent onblock size, motion vector precision, motion model (affine motion vstranslational motion), inter prediction direction, reference picture,POC difference between current picture and the reference picture, motionvector or motion vector difference on neighboring blocks, intra/intermode decision of neighboring blocks, or a motion predictorcharacteristic (non-scaled vs scaled, spatial vs temporal). In oneexample, video encoder 20 and video decoder 30 may be configured todetermine the set of contexts from the two or more sets of contextsbased on a motion vector precision and/or a POC distance between theencoded block of video data and a reference picture associated with theencoded block of video data.

In another of the disclosure, video encoder 20 and/or video decoder 30may separate MVD signaling into two or more parts, and other syntaxelements may be coded between (among) the separated parts for MVDsignaling. In one example, the first part of a syntax element includesthe signaling of indications of whether the horizontal and verticalcomponents of the MVD are equal to 0, wherein video encoder 20 and videodecoder 30 may code (e.g., encode and decode, respectively) two syntaxelements for each component of MVD. In another example, the first partmay include three syntax elements. A first syntax element indicateswhether or not an MVD is a zero MVD, and the other two syntax elementsto indicate whether each component (e.g., horizontal or verticalcomponent) of MVD is equal to 0 or not.

In another example, at least one part of MVD information (e.g., at leastone syntax element indicating some part of the MVD) is signaled/codedbefore syntax element(s) indicating MV precision information aresignaled. In another example, the part of the MVD information that issignaled before the MV precision information is used by video decoder 30to determine the MV precision information. The remaining part of MVDinformation is signaled after the MV precision information. Thesignaling of the remaining part can be dependent on the MV precisioninformation as described in previous examples.

In another example, at least one part of the MVD information (e.g., atleast one syntax element indicating some part of the MVD) issignaled/coded before syntax element(s) indicating the MV Predictor(MVP) index. In another example, when the first part of the MVDinformation, including indications of zero MVD, is coded with zero MVD,the MVP index may be skipped (i.e., the MVP index is notsignalled/code). In this case, the MVP index is always set to 0. Inanother example, video decoder 30 may be configured to derive the MVPindex without signaling (e.g., without receiving a signaled syntaxelement for the MVP index). The derivation may be based on the priorityof MV predictors, and/or on reconstructed neighboring samples. Inanother example, the techniques above may be applied under certainconditions, for example, when the MV precision information isconditionally signaled based on an MVD, as in US Patent Publication No.2015/0195562.

In accordance with the above described techniques, video encoder 20 andvideo decoder 30 may be configured to code the one or more syntaxelements indicating the MVD using the determined MVD coding technique intwo or more parts. In another example, encoder 20 and video decoder 30may be configured to code a first syntax element indicating whether ahorizontal component of the MVD is zero, and code a second syntaxelement indicating whether a vertical component of the MVD is zero.

The set of the multiple coding techniques described above for MVDsignaling may be pre-defined. In other examples, the sets of techniquesto be used may be signaled in sequence parameter set, and/or pictureparameter set, and/or slice header.

One example implementation of syntax elements and semantics for thetechniques of this disclosure is shown below.

Descriptor prediction_unit( x0, y0, nPbW, nPbH ) {  if( cu_skip_flag[ x0][ y0 ] ) {   if( MaxNumMergeCand > 1 )    merge_idx[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v) } else { /* MODE_INTER */   merge_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)   if(merge_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] ) {    if( MaxNumMergeCand > 1 )     merge_idx[x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)   } else {    if( slice_type = = B )    inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)    if( inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ]!= Pred_L1 ) {     if( num_ref_idx _l0_active_minus1 > 0 )     ref_idx_l0[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)     mvd_gr0_coding( x0, y0, 0 )    mvp_l0_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)    }    if( inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ]!= Pred_L0 ) {     if( num_ref_idx_l1_active_minus1 > 0 )     ref_idx_l1[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)     if( mvd_l1_zero_flag &&      inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ] = = Pred_BI) {      MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][0 ] = 0      MvdL1[ x0 ][ y0 ][ 1 ] = 0     } else      mvd_gr0_coding(x0, y0, 1 )     mvp_l1_flag[ x0 ][ y0 ] ae(v)    }   if(nonZeroMvd_Exist)     mv_precision_flag[x0][y0] ae(v)    if(inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ] != Pred_L1 ) {     mvd_remain_coding( x0, y0,0 )    }    if( inter_pred_idc[ x0 ][ y0 ] != Pred_L0 ) {    mvd_remain_coding( x0, y0, 1 )    } mvd_gr0_coding( x0, y0, refList) {  abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 0 ] ae(v)  abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 1 ] ae(v)} mvd_remain_coding( x0, y0, refList ) {  if( abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 0 ])   abs_mvd_greater1_flag[ 0 ] ae(v)  if( abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 1 ] )  abs_mvd_greater1_flag[ 1 ] ae(v)  if( abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 0 ] ) {  if( abs_mvd_greater1_flag[ 0 ] )    abs_mvd_minus2[ 0 ] ae(v)  mvd_sign_flag[ 0 ] ae(v)  }  if( abs_mvd_greater0_flag[ 1 ] ) {   if(abs_mvd_greater1_flag[ 1 ] )    abs_mvd_minus2[ 1 ] ae(v)  mvd_sign_flag[ 1 ] ae(v)  } }

In this example implementation, there are 5 total contexts used in MVDcoding. When the my precision flag is equal to 1 (e.g., one-quarterpixel precision) or when POC difference between the current picture andthe reference picture is equal to 1, the following binarization andcontext modeling methods are applied.

The syntax elements abs_mvd_greater0_flag[0] andabs_mvd_greater0_flag[1] are coded as one CABAC bin and share the samecontext with index ctxIdx=0.

The syntax elements abs_mvd_greater1_flag[0] andabs_mvd_greater1_flag[1] are coded as one CABAC bin and share the samecontext with index ctxIdx=1

The syntax elements abs_mvd_minus2[0] and abs_mvd_minus2[1] are splitinto two portions. These syntax elements may be binarized according toan exponantial Golomb code with parameter equal to 1. The binarizationmay include two parts: one unary code portion and one fixed length codeportion. The length of the unary code and the fixed length code isdefined by the parameter. The unary code portion may be coded with oneor more multiple contexts. In one example, the unaray code of theexponential Golomb code is coded using a context with index ctxIdx=3.

Otherwise (i.e., a motion vector precision other than one-quarter pixelprecision and a POC distance greater than one), the following techniquesapply.

The syntax elements abs_mvd_greater0_flag[0] andabs_mvd_greater0_flag[1] are coded as one CABAC bin and share the samecontext with index ctxIdx=0.

The syntax elements abs_mvd_greater1_flag[0] andabs_mvd_greater1_flag[1] are coded as one CABAC bin and share the samecontext with index ctxIdx=2.

The syntax elements abs_mvd_minus2[0] and abs_mvd_minus2[1] are splitinto two portions. A first portion is coded using an exponantial Golombcode with parameter equal to 2. The section portion is coded using aunaray code of the exponential Golomb code using a context with indexctxIdx=4.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example encoding method accordingto the techniques of the disclosure. The techniques of FIG. 8 may beperformed by video encoder 20.

Video encoder 20 may be configured to encode a block of video dataaccording to an inter-prediction mode (200), determine an MVD associatedwith the block of video data (202), determine an MVD coding techniquefrom two or more MVD coding techniques (204), and encode one or moresyntax elements indicating the MVD using the determined MVD codingtechnique (206).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example decoding method accordingto the techniques of the disclosure. The techniques of FIG. 9 may beperformed by video decoder 30.

Video decoder 30 may be configured to receive an encoded block of videodata (250), receive one or more syntax elements indicating an MVDassociated with the encoded block of video data (252), determine an MVDcoding technique from two or more MVD coding techniques (254), decodethe one or more syntax elements indicating the MVD using the determinedMVD coding technique (256), and decode the encoded block of video datausing the decoded MVD (258).

In one or more examples, the functions described may be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implementedin software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as oneor more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium and executedby a hardware-based processing unit. Computer-readable media may includecomputer-readable storage media, which corresponds to a tangible mediumsuch as data storage media, or communication media including any mediumthat facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place toanother, e.g., according to a communication protocol. In this manner,computer-readable media generally may correspond to (1) tangiblecomputer-readable storage media which is non-transitory or (2) acommunication medium such as a signal or carrier wave. Data storagemedia may be any available media that can be accessed by one or morecomputers or one or more processors to retrieve instructions, codeand/or data structures for implementation of the techniques described inthis disclosure. A computer program product may include acomputer-readable medium.

By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storagemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, flashmemory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired programcode in the form of instructions or data structures and that can beaccessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed acomputer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are transmittedfrom a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable,fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then thecoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wirelesstechnologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in thedefinition of medium. It should be understood, however, thatcomputer-readable storage media and data storage media do not includeconnections, carrier waves, signals, or other transient media, but areinstead directed to non-transient, tangible storage media. Disk anddisc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, opticaldisc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc wheredisks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce dataoptically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one ormore DSPs, general purpose microprocessors, ASICs, FPGAs, or otherequivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term“processor,” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structureor any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniquesdescribed herein. In addition, in some examples, the functionalitydescribed herein may be provided within dedicated hardware and/orsoftware modules configured for encoding and decoding, or incorporatedin a combined codec. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented inone or more circuits or logic elements.

The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide varietyof devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integratedcircuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components,modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasizefunctional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosedtechniques, but do not necessarily require realization by differenthardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may becombined in a codec hardware unit or provided by a collection ofinteroperative hardware units, including one or more processors asdescribed above, in conjunction with suitable software and/or firmware.

Various examples have been described. These and other examples arewithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of decoding video data, the methodcomprising: receiving an encoded block of video data; receiving one ormore syntax elements indicating a motion vector difference (MVD)associated with the encoded block of video data; determining an MVDcoding technique from two or more MVD coding techniques based on adifference between a picture order count (POC) value of a referenceframe and a POC value of a current picture and based on a motion vectorprecision; decoding the one or more syntax elements indicating the MVDusing the determined MVD coding technique; and decoding the encodedblock of video data using the decoded MVD.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the two or more MVD coding techniques comprise two or morebinarization techniques for the one or more syntax elements indicatingthe MVD.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the two or more binarizationtechniques include at least one of exponential-Golomb coding, unarycoding, or fixed length coding.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thetwo or more binarization techniques include Kth order exponential-Golombcoding, and wherein determining the MVD coding technique comprises:determining a value of K for the Kth order exponential-Golomb codingused for binarization based on characteristics of one or more of aslice, tile, or picture.
 5. The method of claim 1, the method furthercomprising: determining that the motion vector precision for the encodedblock of video data is a one-quarter pixel precision, and whereindetermining the MVD coding technique comprises determining that a syntaxelement indicating an absolute value of the MVD minus two is binarizedwith an exponential Golomb code with a parameter of
 1. 6. The method ofclaim 1, the method further comprising: determining that the motionvector precision for the encoded block of video data is an integer pixelprecision, and wherein determining the MVD coding technique comprisesdetermining that a syntax element indicating an absolute value of theMVD minus two is binarized with an exponential Golomb code with aparameter of
 2. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more MVDcoding techniques comprise two or more sets of contexts used to entropycode the one or more syntax elements indicating the MVD.
 8. The methodof claim 1, wherein decoding the one or more syntax elements indicatingthe MVD using the determined MVD coding technique comprises: decodingthe one or more syntax elements indicating the MVD using the determinedMVD coding technique in two or more parts.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein decoding the one or more syntax elements indicating the MVDusing the determined MVD coding technique in two or more partscomprises: decoding a first syntax element indicating whether ahorizontal component of the MVD is zero; and decoding a second syntaxelement indicating whether a vertical component of the MVD is zero. 10.An apparatus configured to decode video data, the apparatus comprising:a memory configured to store an encoded block of video data; and one ormore processors configured to: receive the encoded block of video data;receive one or more syntax elements indicating a motion vectordifference (MVD) associated with the encoded block of video data;determine an MVD coding technique from two or more MVD coding techniquesbased on a difference between a picture order count (POC) value of areference frame and a POC value of a current picture and based on amotion vector precision; decode the one or more syntax elementsindicating the MVD using the determined MVD coding technique; and decodethe encoded block of video data using the decoded MVD.
 11. The apparatusof claim 10, wherein the two or more MVD coding techniques comprise twoor more binarization techniques for the one or more syntax elementsindicating the MVD.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the two ormore binarization techniques include at least one of exponential-Golombcoding, unary coding, or fixed length coding.
 13. The apparatus of claim12, wherein the two or more binarization techniques include Kth orderexponential-Golomb coding, and wherein to determine the MVD codingtechnique, the one or more processors are further configured to:determine a value of K for the Kth order exponential-Golomb coding usedfor binarization based on characteristics of one or more of a slice,tile, or picture.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to: determine that the motion vectorprecision for the encoded block of video data is a one-quarter pixelprecision; and determine that a syntax element indicating an absolutevalue of the MVD minus two is binarized with an exponential Golomb codewith a parameter of
 1. 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one ormore processors are further configured to: determine that the motionvector precision for the encoded block of video data is an integer pixelprecision; and determine that a syntax element indicating an absolutevalue of the MVD minus two is binarized with an exponential Golomb codewith a parameter of
 2. 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the two ormore MVD coding techniques comprise two or more sets of contexts used toentropy code the one or more syntax elements indicating the MVD.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein to decode the one or more syntax elementsindicating the MVD using the determined MVD coding technique, the one ormore processors are further configured to: decode the one or more syntaxelements indicating the MVD using the determined MVD coding technique intwo or more parts.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein to decode theone or more syntax elements indicating the MVD using the determined MVDcoding technique in two or more parts, the one or more processors arefurther configured to: decode a first syntax element indicating whethera horizontal component of the MVD is zero; and decode a second syntaxelement indicating whether a vertical component of the MVD is zero. 19.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus comprises a wirelesscommunication device, further comprising a receiver configured toreceive the encoded block of video data.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19,wherein the wireless communication device comprises a telephone handsetand wherein the receiver is configured to demodulate, according to awireless communication standard, a signal comprising the encoded blockof video data.
 21. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: adisplay configured to output a picture including the decoded block ofvideo data.
 22. An apparatus configured to decode video data, theapparatus comprising: means for receiving an encoded block of videodata; means for receiving one or more syntax elements indicating amotion vector difference (MVD) associated with the encoded block ofvideo data; means for determining an MVD coding technique from two ormore MVD coding techniques based on a difference between a picture ordercount (POC) value of a reference frame and a POC value of a currentpicture and based on a motion vector precision; means for decoding theone or more syntax elements indicating the MVD using the determined MVDcoding technique; and means for decoding the encoded block of video datausing the decoded MVD.
 23. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing instructions that, when executed, causes one or moreprocessors of a device configured to decode video data to: receive theencoded block of video data; receive one or more syntax elementsindicating a motion vector difference (MVD) associated with the encodedblock of video data; determine an MVD coding technique from two or moreMVD coding techniques based on a difference between a picture ordercount (POC) value of a reference frame and a POC value of a currentpicture and based on a motion vector precision; decode the one or moresyntax elements indicating the MVD using the determined MVD codingtechnique; and decode the encoded block of video data using the decodedMVD.
 24. A method of encoding video data, the method comprising:encoding a block of video data according to an inter-prediction mode;determining a motion vector difference (MVD) associated with the blockof video data; determining an MVD coding technique from two or more MVDcoding techniques based on a difference between a picture order count(POC) value of a reference frame and a POC value of a current pictureand based on a motion vector precision; and encoding one or more syntaxelements indicating the MVD using the determined MVD coding technique.25. The method of claim 24, wherein the two or more MVD codingtechniques comprise two or more binarization techniques for the one ormore syntax elements indicating the MVD.
 26. The method of claim 25,wherein the two or more binarization techniques include at least one ofexponential-Golomb coding, unary coding, or fixed length coding.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, wherein the two or more binarization techniquesinclude Kth order exponential-Golomb coding, and wherein determining theMVD coding technique comprises: determining a value of K for the Kthorder exponential-Golomb coding used for binarization based oncharacteristics of one or more of a slice, tile, or picture.
 28. Themethod of claim 24, the method further comprising: determining that themotion vector precision for the block of video data is a one-quarterpixel precision, and wherein determining the MVD coding techniquecomprises determining that a syntax element indicating an absolute valueof the MVD minus two is binarized with an exponential Golomb code with aparameter of
 1. 29. The method of claim 24, the method furthercomprising: determining that the motion vector precision for the encodedblock of video data is an integer pixel precision, and whereindetermining the MVD coding technique comprises determining that a syntaxelement indicating an absolute value of the MVD minus two is binarizedwith an exponential Golomb code with a parameter of
 2. 30. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the two or more MVD coding techniques comprise two ormore sets of contexts used to entropy code the one or more syntaxelements indicating the MVD.
 31. The method of claim 24, whereinencoding the one or more syntax elements indicating the MVD using thedetermined MVD coding technique comprises: encoding the one or moresyntax elements indicating the MVD using the determined MVD codingtechnique in two or more parts.
 32. The method of claim 31, whereinencoding the one or more syntax elements indicating the MVD using thedetermined MVD coding technique in two or more parts comprises: encodinga first syntax element indicating whether a horizontal component of theMVD is zero; and encoding a second syntax element indicating whether avertical component of the MVD is zero.
 33. An apparatus configured toencode video data, the apparatus comprising: a memory configured tostore a block of video data; and one or more processors configured to:encode the block of video data according to an inter-prediction mode;determine a motion vector difference (MVD) associated with the block ofvideo data; determine an MVD coding technique from two or more MVDcoding techniques based on a difference between a picture order count(POC) value of a reference frame and a POC value of a current pictureand based on a motion vector precision; and encode one or more syntaxelements indicating the MVD using the determined MVD coding technique.34. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising: a camera configuredto capture a picture including the block of video data.